Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif showered praise on Tilak Varma after India secured a four-wicket win against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Kaif hailed Varma for changing the gears after getting settled at the crease.
India was under pressure at 70-5 after 10.5 overs, and the target of 181 runs looked out of reach at that stage. However, Tilak added 42 runs off 24 balls with Naman Dhir, with the latter doing the bulk of the scoring. Subsequently, he added 69 runs off just 30 balls with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a cameo of 13-ball 26.
Varma scored a match-winning knock of 51 runs off just 26 balls, including six fours and a six. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Match for his fine performance.
“Tilak Varma has set an example that if someone is playing at a run-a-ball at the start, that is not bad. It is the system of taking time and then going on to finish the game. He was retired out once in MI. I had told it was wrong at that time as well. His way of playing is different. But he finishes the game and accelerates later, keeping himself in that zone under pressure. He has belief in his game. He has shown that taking time is not wrong. It is not a crime. He has done this before as well. Many people are not even close to the role he is playing for India,” Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The former UP batter praised Varma for his fine knock and for taking the responsibility on his shoulders in the run-chase.
“He visualises himself finishing the game and has the hunger to be there. It is difficult to describe this innings in words. He is also an all-format batter. He has a nice technique. People think he plays slowly and cannot match modern T20 batters. But he has his style, and we must allow him to play the way he does. We should not panic or call him out. He should be given the freedom. He might get out also at times, but it is okay,” Mohammad Kaif added.
The third T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday.
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