Versatile and sensible Tilak delivers on promise

IN the six months since India's T20 World Cup triumph at Barbados, if there was one batter who has proven to be the most versatile no matter when and where he gets a chance, it is Tilak Varma.

- ASHOK VENUGOPAL @Chennai

Whether it is ODIs or T20Is, whenever he has gotten the chance Tilak has risen to the occasion and Saturday was no different. The youngster showed maturity and stayed till the end to guide India to a thrilling win against England in the second T20I in Chennai.

After Hardik Pandya's dismissal things could have gone South easily but Tilak was keen to see through the chase. "I said (to myself) that whatever happens, I will be staying till the end, and I wanted to finish the game. I had a chat with Gautam (Gambhir) sir during the last match. I can play with a strike-rate of 6 or 7 or above 10 or below 10 also, as per the team's requirement. I know that I can adapt and be flexible. Gautam sir also said during the drinks break (here at Chennai), 'it's a time that you can show the people that you can play both types of innings'. Happy that it paid off," said Tilak after India's win.