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- “I enjoy the position of Vice President” – Tilak Varma on his leadership role in the Indian team ahead of the 4th T20I against New Zealand. India’s T20I vice-president speaks about his leadership and outstanding performances in the field ahead of the fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park.
- Tilak Varma and Gautam Gambhir (Credit: David Davies/PA Images via ) Tilak Varma has settled into his role as India’s T20I runner-up following the management reshuffle following the 2026 T20 World Cup.
- The left-hander was featured in the position when Shreyas Iyer took over as ctain of the Indian T20I team.
“I enjoy the position of Vice President” – Tilak Varma on his leadership role in the Indian team ahead of the 4th T20I against New Zealand. India’s T20I vice-president speaks about his leadership and outstanding performances in the field ahead of the fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park.
Tilak Varma and Gautam Gambhir (Credit: David Davies/PA Images via ) Tilak Varma has settled into his role as India’s T20I runner-up following the management reshuffle following the 2026 T20 World Cup. The left-hander was featured in the position when Shreyas Iyer took over as ctain of the Indian T20I team. Varma brings considerable experience to the role having ctained Hyderabad in all formats and won the Indian A team last year.
At a pre-match press conference ahead of India’s fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, Varma explained how he supports Shreyas during the matches. The 23-year-old explained that his previous experience at national and senior level has given him the knowledge to contribute significantly to the team’s decisions on the pitch. “I have implemented curfews in all forms for my state.
Last year I also won India A. So I have that experience and that knowledge. Whatever message I can convey, I always convey it to Shreyas on the field,” Varma said on the eve of the fourth T20I on Friday.
Varma’s understanding of the pressures inherent in T20 cricket informs his proach to supporting the group. He recognizes that the demands of the format require constant coordination and shared decision-making between the ctain and the senior players on the field. “T20 is a pressure game.
Especially nowadays, games get very high scores. So as a group it is difficult to cover everything,” said Tilak. “I communicate with Shreyas wherever I can help him.
He also asks for my inputs. I enjoy these small roles,” he added. What drives Tilak Varma’s proach to the field?
Varma’s effort was a standout in his game throughout 2026. The young player has shown exceonal commitment to his craft, treating the pitch not as a chore but as an integral part of his contribution to the team. His passion for the sport dates back to childhood and only intensifies as he progresses in cricket.
“I have been a good defender since I was a child. Whenever I practice field training, I never consider it a burden. When I play abroad it is windy, cold and the ball can wobble in the air, but I always had a lot of fun playing on the pitch.
I never complain about spending long hours in the field. The more you enjoy it, the better the natural results. Of course, being sporty helps.
On the field I like to take responsibility and run hard. Wherever the hotspots are on the field, I reach them immediately,” said Varma. The team management has recognized Varma’s abilities and is consistently positioning him in key areas of the field.
This confidence led to him having more opportunities to make an impact on the field and contribute to India’s success in the series. “The team also has confidence in my receiving skills and therefore prefers to use me in these key positions. This gives me more opportunities to stop and catch up on runs.
If you make good recordings, the audience and fans also benefit,” he said. Also Read: ‘He still has a lot to prove in Tests’ – Waqar Younis on Jasprit Bumrah’s red-ball career During the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Varma set a record for the most catches by a fielder in a calendar year. He made 26 catches in 2026, surpassing Indonesia’s Danilson Hawoe’s previous record of 25 catches.
