Irfan Pathan backs Tilak Varma as future leader after unbeaten 51 in Christchurch
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan praised Tilak Varma after the vice-captain’s unbeaten 51 off 26 propelled India to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second T20I in Christchurch on Saturday. Pathan made his remarks on his YouTube channel, highlighting Tilak’s temperament and adaptability in a tense chase.
India looked in deep trouble at 70 for five before Tilak steadied the innings and engineered a late recovery alongside Naman Dhir and Nitish Kumar Reddy, taking the visitors to 181 with one ball to spare. Pathan emphasised Tilak’s willingness to bat in different positions and his capacity to handle pressure as central to that rescue.
"Tilak Varma is an outstanding batter and an incredibly versatile player. He has scored two international centuries batting at No. 3 for India, but now he has come down the order and won matches with his tremendous fast-bowling hitting ability in the final overs. The way Tilak Varma is demonstrating his ability is remarkable. He only started batting in the middle order during the World Cup, and even then, he did not begin the tournament in that role. He started batting in the middle of the World Cup and has been producing outstanding performances," Irfan Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Tilak first put on 42 off 25 with Naman Dhir, who made 31 off 17, before joining Nitish Kumar Reddy for an unbeaten 69-run stand off 30 balls that sealed the chase. Tilak struck six fours and a six, reaching his half-century in 25 balls, while Reddy finished 26 not out off 13.
Mitchell Santner had earlier destabilised India’s middle order with four wickets for 21, but Pathan pointed to Tilak’s response under the high-rate requirement in the closing overs. "Look at this match. India needed to score more than 12 runs per over in the final five overs. Wickets had fallen, the team was under pressure, and the opposition had brought on spin. India managed only seven runs in one over. But when the fast bowlers came on, Tilak batted brilliantly. He hits well in front of him, plays the midwicket region exceptionally well and has a very good lap shot. Just a day earlier, he had been dismissed early while batting at No. 3. He lost his wicket to a spinner, but he put that failure behind him and produced an unbeaten fifty. That tells you how strong his mindset is," Pathan added.
New Zealand recovered from an early setback to post 180 for five, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring on 70 off 43 and Bevon Jacobs making 58 off 46 as they added 116 for the fourth wicket after India had reduced the hosts to 41 for three. Arshdeep Singh led India’s bowling with two wickets for 33, while Prince Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar also struck early; Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one wicket before his match-ending contribution with the bat.
"This is why I keep saying that he is a leader of the future. You have to be mentally strong to lead a team, and Tilak has demonstrated that quality. Tilak is versatile. He can bat higher up the order or come in at No. 5, 6 or 7. He knows his game and is willing to do whatever the team asks of him. No. 3? Yes sir. No. 5, 6 or 7? Yes sir. Bat in the middle order? Yes sir. He is ready to do everything. That is a quality of a leader. So well done, Tilak Varma," Pathan further said.
