Tilak Varma loves batting at No. 3, but is ready to anchor or attack for India

Tilak Varma has made little secret of his preference for batting at No. 3. Some of his finest performances in India colours have come in that position, including two centuries during the T20I series in South Africa in 2024. But as India prepare for the fourth T20I against the West Indies in his hometown of Hyderabad, the southpaw is focused on something bigger than his preferred batting position: finding a way to contribute whenever the team needs him.

The added responsibility of being India's vice-captain has brought another dimension to Tilak's role. At 23, he is part of a team with an established top order, which means he must be ready to adapt to different situations rather than expect to bat in his preferred position. His approach ahead of Wednesday's match reflects that willingness to put the team's requirements first.

The left-hander has settled into a middle-order role, often coming in around No. 5 to navigate the middle overs and help India finish strongly. With the top order in good form, opportunities for the middle order have been limited at times. Tilak, however, is comfortable with the responsibility and believes he has the game to adjust his approach according to the match situation.

READY TO ADAPT

"I love batting at No. 3, and I have said that many times. But I'm someone who always wants that pressure when the team needs me. I want to step up and take that role," Tilak said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

His role, as he explained it, is not simply about coming in and scoring quickly. It is about recognising what the match demands and adjusting accordingly.

"If we lose quick wickets, then I can slightly take my time and take the game deep. I can do that role," he said.

"But if the openers or the top three batters bat until the 14th or 15th over, then I know how to change gears and get going from the first ball. I have been practising for that, especially with the mindset."

MINDSET MATTERS

Tilak's willingness to take on different responsibilities has already produced encouraging results. At the Asian Games final, he played an unbeaten 51 off 34 balls against Pakistan, helping India fight back alongside Shivam Dube. It was an example of the composure and flexibility the team will want from him as the series progresses.

The key, according to Tilak, is preparing mentally for both scenarios rather than committing to one approach before walking out to bat.

"It's really important to be ready for both situations. When the team is under pressure, you should take the game deep, and when the team gets going from the first ball, you should go for it," he said.

"For that, I'm really ready. By God's grace, it's going well, and I have worked really hard."

The numbers underline why Tilak's preference for No. 3 is understandable. He has scored 443 runs in 13 T20I innings at the position, averaging 55.37 at a strike rate of 169.73, with two centuries to his name. However, his record in the middle order is impressive as well, with 1,140 runs in 43 innings at an average of 45.6 and a strike rate of 144.85.

With India building a settled batting order, Tilak's numbers suggest he can be effective in either role. His focus, though, is on ensuring personal preferences do not come ahead of the team's plans.

"Right now, I'm enjoying this moment. When someone like Ishan and the other openers are batting, it's really a treat to watch. I don't want to disturb any role. Whatever the team needs, I want to do that," he said.

HOMECOMING IN HYDERABAD

Wednesday's fixture will also be a homecoming for Tilak, who grew up in Hyderabad and will play in front of his home crowd as vice-captain. India lead the five-match series 2-1 and can secure an unassailable advantage with a win, while the West Indies will be eager to level the contest.

The surface could add another variable. The pitch at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has been relaid with fresh soil, leaving questions over how it will behave compared with the venue's familiar conditions. Tilak said India would need to assess the track before settling on their batting approach.

"You cannot go all out from the first ball without assessing the conditions. In one-day cricket, you can take five or six balls to understand the wicket, but in T20 cricket, you have only one or two balls before you need to get going," he said.

"Haven't seen the track yet, but will see how the conditions behave initially and go accordingly. It is a fresh soil track, so let's see how it goes."

For Tilak, the challenge is to combine that reading of conditions with the flexibility he has been working on in his batting. He may still prefer No. 3, but as vice-captain, his message ahead of the Hyderabad contest is clear: he is prepared to anchor an innings when India need stability or attack from the outset when the platform has already been set.