Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan was not impressed with Tilak Verma’s slow batting in the T20 World Cup 2026 match against Netherlands. The cricketer-turned-commentator said the Ahmedabad pitch offers better conditions and added that he expects the left-hander to bat with a better strike rate.
India defeated Netherlands by 17 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 18. Tilak scored 31 runs in 27 balls and India scored a total of 193 runs. The left-handed batsman has scored 106 runs in four innings at an average of 26.50 and a disappointing strike rate of 120.45.
Tilak Verma’s strike rate should have been better – Irfan Pathan
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan said that he expected more intent from Tilak Verma against the Dutch. Pathan said that the Ahmedabad pitch was much better for batting and Tilak should have increased his scoring rate.
Pathan said, “As far as Tilak’s batting is concerned, I had some expectations. The way he was batting in Sri Lanka, you could see that he was playing with awareness and responsibility.”
He said, “Ishan Kishan was scoring runs quickly, so Tilak was batting around a strike rate of 100 because he did not want to lose his wicket. However, in Ahmedabad, I expected more from Tilak Verma. His strike rate should have been better because the pitch was better. This is something he will need to focus on.”
It becomes comparatively easier for the opposition – Irfan Pathan
The former cricketer expressed concern for India before the match against South Africa. Pathan pointed out that having three left-handed batsmen at the top could make it easier for opponents to plan their bowling and fielding settings.
“In the next match against South Africa, there will be some tactical battles. But according to me, the most important tactical point concerns Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Verma. All three of them are left-handers. What happens is when three left-handers come one after the other, it becomes comparatively easier for the opposition to plan their strategy,” Pathan said.
Can Suryakumar Yadav bat at number three? -Irfan Pathan suggested to demote Tilak Verma
In the same video, Irfan Pathan said that teams are using early off-spin to take advantage of India’s left-heavy top order. He said that promoting Suryakumar Yadav at number 3 can break this trend and counter that strategy.
“Against South Africa, Aiden Markram may come in to bowl, even if he is not as pure a bowler as Aryan Dutt. So from that point of view, would you like to break this left-handed combination? Can Surya bat at number three? Could it be a tactical move?”
He said, “If not against South Africa in Ahmedabad, where there is not much grip on the pitch, then perhaps at a place like Sri Lanka where the ball takes more grip. Would you consider promoting Suryakumar Yadav higher up the order and sending Tilak at number four? Would you like to do something like that? In my opinion, it should be considered.”
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