Former India opener Wasim Jaffer stated that Tilak Varma is ideally a No. 3 batter but lauded the southpaw for adapting and delivering in different batting positions. His remarks came after the second T20I of the three-match series against Zimbabwe, played on Saturday, July 25, in Harare.
Batting at No. 5, Tilak scored an unbeaten 60 off 29 balls, including five fours and three sixes, as the Men in Blue registered a 90-run victory after posting 219/5 on the board.
Speaking during a discussion on his YouTube channel (Wasim Jaffer Official), the 48-year-old noted that Tilak has flourished at No. 3 for both India and the Mumbai Indians but acknowledged that the spot is no longer available to him. He said:
“I think, ideally, Tilak Varma is a No. 3 batter. In my opinion, that’s the position where he has flourished, whether it’s for India or the Mumbai Indians. Whenever Mumbai Indians or the Indian team have used him at No. 3, he has delivered, including scoring a century in South Africa. Unfortunately, that spot is no longer available to him.”
Jaffer praised the 23-year-old for his adaptability across different batting positions, saying Tilak knows how to accelerate the innings and score all around the ground. He noted that while many batters find it difficult to adjust to a change in batting position, Tilak has adapted brilliantly. Wasim Jaffer said:
“But one remarkable quality he has is his adaptability. Even if you bat him at No. 5, or play him at some other No., he adapts really well because of the kind of game he has. He knows how to accelerate and can hit to all parts of the ground. I think if you shift another player to a different batting position, it can be difficult for them to adapt, but that’s not the case with Tilak Varma. He has adjusted really well, and today as well, he played a very good innings.”
Across 55 innings, the southpaw has amassed 1,634 runs at an average of 44.16 and a strike rate of 145.37, including nine fifties and two centuries.
“Has been a terrific player” – Wasim Jaffer heaps praise on India batter
Speaking during the same discussion, Wasim Jaffer observed that the Harare ground is not a small venue and praised Tilak Varma for the way he constructed his innings in the second T20I. He also highlighted the left-hander’s 94-run stand with Ishan Kishan for the fourth wicket before hailing him as a complete team man. He said:
“This actually isn’t such a small ground, but the way he shaped his innings and built that partnership with Ishan Kishan was impressive. In my opinion, he’s been a terrific player. He’s a complete team man, and no matter which batting position you ask him to play or what situation he faces, he always tries to give his best. More often than not, you see him succeeding. Tilak Varma has been a terrific player.”
The two sides will return to action for the third and final T20I on Sunday, July 26, in Harare.
Edited by Dev Sharma
