If you are mentally strong, you can do well at any number: Tilak Varma

The move to promote Axar Patel to No. 3 in the second T20I against South Africa did not go according to plan. Axar laboured to a run-a-ball 21 — not ideal when chasing a big score.

Axar’s elevation is in keeping with the flexible approach followed by the team management, highlighted by head coach Gautam Gambhir’s recent statement that batting orders are overrated in white-ball cricket.

At New Chandigarh, however, it was a recognised batter, Tilak Varma, who excelled. Tilak, batting at No. 5, made a 34-ball 62 even as his teammates failed.

This begs the question — is Tilak better suited to do the job at No. 3? The southpaw is open to the idea, but reiterated that batters should be able to score at all positions.

“Everyone is flexible and open to bat anywhere. I’m ready to bat at three, four, five or six — wherever the team prefers. If you are mentally strong, you can do well at any number,” Tilak said in the pre-match press conference in Dharamshala on Saturday (December 13, 2025).

The 23-year-old defended the decision to send Axar ahead of him. “Axar did this role very well in the 2024 T20 World Cup. On some days, things may not go to plan,” he said.