Dharamsala, December 14, 2025 – As India gears up for the crucial third T20I against South Africa here in Dharamsala, the debate surrounding the Indian batting order has intensified. Young Indian batter Tilak Varma has weighed in on the discussion, echoing sentiments previously expressed by head coach Gautam Gambhir regarding flexibility and adaptability in the white-ball format.
Varma's comments come amidst scrutiny of Gambhir's approach to shuffling the batting lineup, a strategy that has drawn both praise and criticism. In a pre-match press conference, Varma emphasized the team management's focus on creating a batting order where most players are comfortable batting in multiple positions, depending on the match situation. "Everyone is flexible except the openers," Varma stated, highlighting that Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma are the designated opening pair, while the rest of the team is ready to adapt to different roles.
This emphasis on flexibility aligns with Gambhir's recent assertion that batting orders are "overrated" in white-ball cricket, with the exception of the opening partnership. Gambhir has hinted at sticking to his "chop and change" policy, a strategy aimed at maximizing team balance and exploiting favorable matchups.
Varma himself expressed his willingness to bat at any position from three to six, stating, "I am up for batting at 3, 4, 5 or 6—wherever the team prefers for me". He further elaborated that the team prioritizes tactical decisions, and everyone is willing to go with the team's plans, even if it means batting out of their preferred position.
The promotion of Axar Patel to No. 3 in the second T20I sparked considerable debate, but Varma defended the decision, characterizing it as a strategic move based on the game situation. He cited Patel's past success in similar situations, reinforcing the idea that adaptability and situational awareness are key components of India's T20 strategy. "One-off games keep happening. Axar Patel has already done the same thing and he did well there," Varma said.
However, this approach has not been without its detractors. Former players like Robin Uthappa and Dale Steyn have criticized Gambhir's constant shuffling, arguing that it disrupts the team's stability and creates uncertainty among the players. Following the second T20I, where Suryakumar Yadav batted after Axar Patel and scored just 5 runs, Steyn described the changes as a "major mistake". Uthappa urged Gambhir to fix the top three positions, even if he wants to keep the rest of the batting order flexible.
Looking ahead to the third T20I, Varma shared his thoughts on the Dharamsala pitch, suggesting that it could be a high-scoring affair despite the cold weather. "I have played an Under-19 India series here before. We are watching the wicket and I feel it will be a high-scoring one," he said. However, he also cautioned that the low temperatures could provide some assistance to the bowlers early on. Varma also addressed the challenges of playing in cold conditions and the potential impact of dew, stating that the team is mentally and physically prepared. India and South Africa are currently level at 1-1 in the five-match series.
