Archive · 11 Sep 2026
De Villiers Questions Tilak Varma’s Fixed T20I Batting Spot
India has chosen a strong team for several upcoming T20I matches.
Tilak Varma is the team’s vice-captain.
He has been playing very well in First-Class cricket.
Former South African captain AB de Villiers thinks India may have trouble deciding where Tilak should bat.
India will play Afghanistan in a three-match series.
The team will also take part in the Asian Games.
India is scheduled to play Japan in a special T20I on September 22.
The main question is how India will fit Tilak into its batting order.
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers questioned where Tilak Varma would bat for India in T20Is.
India’s selectors named a full-strength T20I squad for a three-match series against Afghanistan.
The squad is also intended for India’s subsequent Asian Games campaign.
India will play a one-off T20I against Japan on September 22.
De Villiers said Tilak’s strong recent First-Class form could create a difficult selection decision because finding him a fixed spot may be challenging.
- Who
- India’s T20I team, vice-captain Tilak Varma, and former South Africa captain AB de Villiers.
- What
- India faces a selection question over Tilak Varma’s position in the T20I batting order.
- When
- The article mentions a Japan match on September 22, alongside upcoming Afghanistan and Asian Games fixtures.
- Where
- The matches involve India, Afghanistan, Japan, and the Asian Games campaign; the article does not specify all venues.
- Why
- Tilak’s strong recent First-Class form has raised questions about how India will find him a regular batting position.
Regular Role for Tilak
Selection Flexibility
How India should use Tilak Varma
Regular Role for Tilak
Tilak’s glowing recent First-Class form supports giving India’s vice-captain a regular place in the T20I batting order.
Selection Flexibility
AB de Villiers believes India may struggle to find Tilak a fixed slot despite his strong form.
- Player discussed
- Tilak Varma, India’s T20I vice-captain
- Commentator
- AB de Villiers, a former South Africa captain
- Upcoming series
- India’s three-match T20I series against Afghanistan
- Other campaign
- India’s subsequent Asian Games campaign
- Special match
- A one-off T20I between India and Japan
- Japan match date
- September 22
- Selection issue
- Where Tilak Varma will bat and whether India can give him a fixed spot