Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has suggested that Tilak Varma should adopt a role similar to Virat Kohli’s in T20Is as he looks to find form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. The left-hander has scored 107 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 118. In the Super 8 clash against South Africa, he tried to be over-aggressive but managed just 1 run.
Looking to counter Marco Jansen, Tilak attempted an attacking stroke outside the off stump but was caught by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. The dismissal invited scrutiny from Sunil Gavaskar during the broadcast, and Kaif later shared a similar viewpoint on his YouTube channel. He emphasised that the think tank should clearly communicate with Tilak and encourage him to anchor the innings.
“Tilak has a distinct style, and he doesn’t always need to score at a rapid rate. But he was dismissed after attempting an aggressive stroke. The chatter around his strike rate may have influenced him. Players are aware of outside opinions, but it’s up to the team management to reinforce their designated role. He needs to step into the role that Virat Kohli usually plays. By stepping out and going for that big hit, he drifted away from his natural approach. You won’t be able to perform at your best if you keep paying attention to what everyone else is saying,” Kaif said.
Kaif also emphasized that with India having plenty of aggressive batters in the lineup, it becomes crucial for Tilak to play the stabilising role. He suggested that Tilak should focus on building the innings patiently.
“To become a chase master, you first need to stay at the crease until the final over. Tilak Varma lost his wicket early while trying to go for big shots. He must understand his responsibility. Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rinku Singh are naturally aggressive, it’s important to have at least one batter who can hold the innings together,” Kaif explained.
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