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In anticipation of the 2024 T20 World Cup in June,
India’s benched star players will have an opportunity to shine during the
five-match T20I series against Australia. Tilak Varma, nevertheless, doesn’t
want to think about that and put himself under any strain.
“My mindset is clear,” Tilak said on the eve
of the second T20I in Thiruvananthapuram. “I have got a role in the team,
so I just want to stick to that role. I don’t have any pressure or expectations
of doing well. I am just looking forward to fulfilling my role for the team.
“I was batting at No. 5 in the last game, so my
mindset was if it is in my arc, I will go for it. Otherwise, I will just rotate
[the strike].”
When Tilak left the game in the opening Twenty20
International, India was chasing 209 and needed 75 in 7.3 overs. As he
attempted to attack the legspinner once more, he was hit for four consecutive
balls by Tanveer Sangha but fell for twelve off ten balls.
“I wanted to take charge against their legspinner
because we needed ten per over,” Tilak said. “So my mindset was
clear: if the legspinner is bowling, I will go for it. Against the fast
bowlers, Surya bhai [Suryakumar Yadav] will do the same. So in that over, I
wanted to attack the legspinner.”
“I like finishing the games,” he said.
“I am learning [that] from Rinku as he has been doing it very
consistently, even for the Indian team. I think in the coming matches I will be
doing that.”
Tilak entered the series fresh off an impressive
performance in India’s domestic Twenty20 championship, the Syed Mushtaq Ali
Trophy. At a strike rate of 143.28 and an average of 96.00, he scored 288 runs
in seven innings. His best was a perfect 121 against Baroda, who ended up
finishing second.
Additionally, Tilak hopes to “continue the same
form” with this series. In addition, he recalls Thiruvananthapuram with
“good memories”. He participated in the 50-over Under-19 quadrangular
series that was held there in 2019 between Afghanistan, India A, India B, and
South Africa.