IND vs SA: "Everyone is flexible..."- Tilak Varma backs Gautam Gambhir's plan to shuffle batting order despite backlash

Tilak Varma said that everyone is flexible enough to bat at any position, except openers.

Indian Cricket Team batter Tilak Varma has supported head coach Gautam Gambhir’s approach to shuffle batting order, stating that everyone is flexible to bat at any position. His comments come as Gambhir is facing a lot of criticism for his idea of frequent changes to the batting order.

In the second T20I against South Africa Cricket Team, India had a target of 214 runs. After they lost Shubman Gill in the first over, Axar Patel was promoted up the order and came out to bat at No. 3 ahead of Suryakumar Yadav and Varma. The move surprised many cricket fans as Patel bats in the lower-order in T20Is.

The idea did not turn out fruitful as the seam all-rounder could only score 21 runs off 21 deliveries and lost his wicket in the eighth over. Following India’s defeat by 51 runs in the encounter, Gambhir has been facing the wrath of fans and cricket experts for his constant experimentation with the batting order.

Everyone is flexible, except openers: Tilak Varma defends Gautam Gambhir

Indian youngster Varma has defended Gambhir over his approach, stating that every batter in the team is flexible to bat at any position, excluding the openers. He also backed Axar for taking the one-down slot in the previous game against the Proteas, recalling that he has been successful in that position in the past.

“Everyone is flexible, except openers. I’m up for batting at 3,4,5, or 6, wherever I get a chance. Everyone knows that everyone is flexible in order,” he said.

“As you can see, Axar Patel has already done the same thing in the World Cup. And he has done well in that position as well. Like I said, everyone is flexible. And the decision that team feels is going to be beneficial that day, we take that call,” he added.

Notably, Varma hammered the lone half-century for India in the encounter, adding 62 runs off 34 deliveries. However, his innings went in vain as other batters failed to support him and the hosts were far away from the target, getting all-out for 162 runs. Speaking about his performance, the left-handed batter said that he always focuses on contributing to the team.

“We’ve been practicing since childhood…Because we follow the basics…If you’re mentally strong, you’ll be successful everywhere. So in my mind, I just want to be mentally strong. And wherever I go, I just think about what I can do for the team,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the five-match series between India and South Africa is tied 1-1 after two matches. The Men in Blue won the opening game by a huge margin of 101 runs. The next clash will take place on December 14 in Dharamsala.

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