Tilak Varma has settled into his role as India's T20I vice-captain following the leadership reshuffle that took place after the T20 World Cup 2026.
The left-hander was appointed to the position when Shreyas Iyer took over as captain of the Indian T20I team. Varma brings considerable experience to the role, having led Hyderabad across all formats and captained India A sides over the past year.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference before India's fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, Varma outlined how he supports Shreyas during matches. The 23-year-old explained that his prior captaincy experience at state and national A level has equipped him with the knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the team's on-field decisions.
"I have done captaincy in every format for my state. For the last year, I have also captained India A. So, I have that experience and knowledge. Whatever message I can pass on, 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 shapes his approach to supporting the captain. He recognises that the demands of the format require constant coordination and shared decision-making between the skipper and senior players positioned around the field.
"T20 is a pressure game. Nowadays, especially, games are very high-scoring. So, as a captain, it is difficult to cover everything." Tilak said.
"I communicate with Shreyas wherever I can help him. He also asks for my inputs. I am enjoying those small roles," he added.
What drives Tilak Varma's approach to fielding?
Varma's fielding has been a standout feature of his game throughout 2026. The youngster has demonstrated exceptional commitment to his craft, viewing fielding not as a chore but as an integral part of his contribution to the team. His passion for the discipline stems from childhood and has only intensified as he has progressed through different levels of cricket.
"I have been a good fielder since childhood. Whenever I practise fielding, I never look at it as a burden. When playing overseas, there's wind, cold weather and the ball can wobble in the air, but I've always genuinely enjoyed fielding. I never complain about spending long hours on the field. The more you enjoy it, the better the results come naturally. Being athletic naturally helps. On the field, I like taking responsibility and running hard. Wherever the fielding hotspots are, I immediately put myself there," Varma explained.
The team management has recognised Varma's catching prowess and regularly positions him in key fielding areas. This trust has translated into increased opportunities for him to make an impact in the field and contribute to India's success in the series.
"The team also trusts my catching ability, so they prefer placing me in those key positions. That gives me more opportunities to stop runs and take catches. When you pull off good catches, the crowd and fans enjoy it too," he stated.
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During the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand, Varma set a record for most catches taken by a fielder in a calendar year. He has taken 26 catches in 2026, surpassing the previous benchmark of 25 catches set by Indonesia's Danilson Hawoe.
