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Tilak Varma: Soaking up pressure, shutting out panic

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Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma (Source: BCCI)

Rupesh Kumar

Rupesh Kumar

Published - 25 Oct 2026, 06:44 PM Read time - 4 mins

68 needed off the last five overs with just four wickets remaining. Such was the daunting task India faced in their pursuit of a 2-0 lead in the five-match series against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday (October 24).

Notably, before Saturday, the highest target India had successfully chased in the final five overs of a T20I was 60 runs. That came against Pakistan at the 2022 T20 World Cup at the MCG, courtesy of a monumental unbeaten 82 off 53 balls from the chase master, Virat Kohli.

India needed 68 on Saturday, and their innings appeared dead and buried, with the Kiwis preparing for the final rites. The required rate stood at 13.60, but Tilak Varma believed India's chase could still be revived. The 23-year-old summoned all his power and composure to script a victory that will be remembered for years.

Tilak's unbeaten 51 off 26 balls featured six fours and a six, but remarkably, 41.18% of his runs came through running between the wickets, underlining his agility and fitness. If one statistic captures the magnitude of his knock, it is this: Tilak became the first Indian batter to score a fifty from No. 6 or lower in a successful T20I run chase.

The urge to take responsibility

The fourth delivery of the final over encapsulated Tilak Varma's mindset. With four needed off three balls, he played a cut shot that flew aerially but landed short of deep cover. Tilak scampered through for a single and immediately looked to come back for a second to retain strike, only to be sent back midway by his partner, Nitish Kumar Reddy. Reddy made the right call, turning down what would have been a suicidal run.

While many viewers glued to their television screens might have suffered a minor heart attack in those frantic moments, only a few would have recognised Tilak's desire to take responsibility and finish the game himself.

Rare are the players willing to shoulder that burden when a contest hangs in the balance. Years ago, Chris Gayle revealed in an interview with Gaurav Kapoor that Yuvraj Singh was reluctant to bowl to him during his blistering unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors India in the IPL.

At that stage of the chase, many batters would have happily stayed at the non-striker's end, distancing themselves from the possibility of becoming the fall guy. Tilak, however, wanted the strike. His willingness to embrace responsibility rather than avoid it spoke volumes about his temperament.

Tilak in pursuit of the King

Years after his retirement from T20Is, Virat Kohli remains the benchmark for run chases in the format. Kohli holds the record for the most runs in successful T20I chases, scoring 1,651 runs at an average of 78.61 and a strike rate of 135.43, with 16 fifties to his name. He also boasts the most unbeaten innings in successful T20I chases, remaining not out 18 times in 18 victories.

Tilak's numbers in successful chases are beginning to mirror those of Kohli. He has amassed 533 runs in 19 innings at an average of 76.14 and a strike rate of 130.00, including four fifties. He has remained unbeaten in 12 of those innings.

A leader in the making

Most of Tilak's runs in T20Is have come while batting at No. 3 and No. 4. However, a crowded top order and the return of Shreyas Iyer mean that he now has to adapt to roles at No. 5, 6, or even 7.

Such a shift in batting position can have a debilitating effect on a young cricketer, but Tilak appears unfazed.

He possesses all the qualities of a team-first player and has embraced his new role as a finisher. That willingness to put the team's needs above personal comfort is particularly encouraging given his elevation to the vice-captaincy. Tilak's maturity far exceeds his years, and he is steadily building a strong case as a future leadership candidate.

Can Tilak translate his success into ODIs?

While Tilak is firmly established in India's T20I setup, he is not currently in contention for a regular spot in the ODI side. However, his List A record suggests he has the credentials to thrive in the 50-over format as well.

In 52 List A matches, Tilak has amassed 2,142 runs at an average of 47.60 and a strike rate of 87.96, including six centuries and 14 fifties.

Competition for places in India's ODI side remains fierce. Yet, if Tilak continues on his current trajectory, it may prove increasingly difficult for the selectors to ignore the immense promise that the youngster from Hyderabad brings to the table.