Overview:
Sunil Gavaskar, the former India captain, questioned Tilak’s decision-making, emphasising that the required run rate was not a cause for concern.
Tilak Varma has found it difficult to get going in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Although he got starts in India‘s group stage matches, he never looked comfortable in the middle. With a solid record against South Africa in previous outings, he was expected to go big in the Super 8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 22. However, he was dismissed for one run by Marco Jansen.
India’s chase of 188 got off to a difficult start with Ishan Kishan falling in the first over. Jansen, who bowled the second over, made an immediate impact, removing Tilak. The Indian batter moved down the track and tried to cut the ball over mid-off, but the extra bounce send the ball into the gloves of wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.
Sunil Gavaskar, the former India captain, questioned Tilak’s decision-making, emphasising that the required run rate was not a cause for concern. He felt Tilak could have taken more time, particularly with Abhishek Sharma, who was out of form, batting with him.
“Yes, I believe he’s been a very smart batter. However, I was disappointed with his approach. Look, a wicket had already fallen. The required run rate was 9.5 runs per over, but it wasn’t like they were chasing 15 runs per over,” Gavaskar said during his discussion on Star Sports.
“You could have given yourself a bit more time, especially since Abhishek Sharma wasn’t scoring at the other end. The responsibility was on you to stay at the crease with him, build a partnership, and get through those first six overs. With a wicket down, there was no need to reach 70. Even 55 would have laid a solid foundation,” he added.