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Tilak Verma’s recent performances in T20Is have come under intense scrutiny, especially after India’s crushing 125-run defeat to England in the third T20I at Trent Bridge. The left-handed batsman has struggled to score runs quickly in the middle overs and has repeatedly found it difficult to dominate spin. However, despite the criticism regarding his batting, reports suggest that his place in India’s T20I setup is safe.
According to Dainik Jagran journalist Abhishek Tripathi, Tilak Verma has the support of both chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, making him one of the management’s favorite players.
Tilak Verma is struggling in T-20
The figures present a worrying picture. During the ongoing UK tour, Tilak Verma has scored 3 (11), 24* (11), 13 (13), 55 (46), and 19 (21)*.
Although his innings of 24 not out was played at pace, the rest of his innings lacked the intent expected from a middle-order T20 batsman. His innings of 55 also came off 46 balls, an innings that was criticized for its relatively slow scoring rate in the shortest format. The struggle is not limited to the England series.
In his last eight innings at various levels, Tilak’s scores were 3, 24*, 13, 55, 19, 67, 59 and 23*, the latter three for India A also coming at such a fast pace that there was room for improvement. His inability to consistently pick up speed has become a recurring theme.
Despite this decline, Tilak’s overall T20I record remains impressive on paper. He has scored 1,504 runs in 54 matches at an average of 42.97 and a strike rate of 142.28, which includes two centuries and seven fifties. These career statistics are working in his favour, even if his recent form suggests he is yet to find his best form in 2026.
Tilak Verma is struggling badly against the spinners
Perhaps the biggest concern in Tilak’s game is his performance against spin bowling. In the 2026 T20I, he has scored 90 runs in 98 balls against the spinners, and has been dismissed four times. That means an average of 22.5 and a strike rate of just 91.8, which is well below the standard expected from a specialist middle-order batsman.
That struggle was exposed once again in the third T20 match against England. Chasing a tough target of 202, Tilak could score only 3 runs in 11 balls before becoming the victim of off-spinner Will Jacques.
Attempting to break the shackles, he attacked the pitch but was beaten in flight, allowing Jos Buttler to complete the stumping after a nervous moment behind the stumps. The dismissals highlighted a pattern that has become increasingly apparent this year.
Opposing teams have started using spin against Tilak in the middle overs, knowing that he has struggled to rotate the strike and hit boundaries. For a batsman expected to control that phase of the innings, a strike rate below 100 against spin is a big concern and India will need to address that quickly.
Why will Tilak Verma not be dropped from T20I? Explained
Despite the criticism regarding his batting, there are strong indications that Tilak’s place in the Indian team is safe for now.
According to Abhishek Tripathi, the left-handed batsman has received significant support from both Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir, with his vice-captaincy further cementing the management’s long-term investment in him. In modern cricket, leadership roles often indicate stability, and removing a designated vice-captain after a short period of time would send mixed messages about the team’s plans.
“Tilak Verma’s support is very strong, that’s why he became the vice-captain. Making him the vice-captain means you will think twice before leaving him out of the playing eleven. Both Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir also like Tilak Verma,” he said during a conversation on Resportz.
Although there has been no official confirmation from the BCCI regarding the claim, it helps explain why Tilak is unlikely to lose his place despite his long-standing poor condition.
Abhishek Tripathi on Tilak Verma’s vice captaincy.
-Tilak Verma has very strong support, which is why he has been appointed vice-captain.
-Both the chief selector and the head coach like him.#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/gVWitwxNth
– Indian Cricket (@navshar54008403) July 7, 2026
This does not mean that Tilak’s performance has been beyond criticism. India’s middle order needs players who can dominate spin, maintain the rhythm in the middle overs and finish the innings strongly. So far in 2026, Tilak has struggled in that role, especially against slower bowlers. From a cricketing point of view, there is also a strong argument that Sanju Samson deserves another chance in the playing eleven.
Samson was India’s player of the tournament during the 2026 T20 World Cup and has already shown that he can play match-winning innings under pressure. After Tilak struggled against spin for a long time, the India management may consider bringing Samson back into the team to strengthen the batting order.