India’s vice-captain Tilak Varma said the team will look to complete a clean sweep of 5-0 against New Zealand in the ongoing T20I series. Shreyas Iyer’s team has dominated the hosts as they have taken an impregnable lead of 3-0 in the series.
The visitors won the third game at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday comprehensively by six wickets with 40 balls to spare. Abhishek Sharma was at his absolute best as he smashed 113 runs off just 38 balls in the run chase of 199 and thus was awarded Player of the Match.
“We are thinking this is a great opportunity to achieve a clean sweep. The next goal is to win the upcoming match and give the Indian crowd a great chance to witness a 5–0 series win,” Tilak Varma said in the pre-match press conference (via RevSportz).
The Indian batter said it is always challenging to play in overseas conditions and a lot of work is put behind the scenes.
“It’s challenging. When you see a 3–0 lead, people think it’s straightforward, but as you said, it’s tough, especially with the time-zone differences. At this level, we cannot make excuses. We are at the highest level, and we need to set standards for the youngsters who look up to us,” he said.
Varma credited head coach Gautam Gambhir for guiding the players in the right direction.
“Gautam sir made it clear in team meetings that this is a long tour and the standard we set as a T20 side will provide momentum for the ODI and Test squads,” he added.
The left-hander said he tries to take the game deep after getting settled at the crease. Varma scored a match-winning knock of 51 runs off just 26 balls in the second game against the Blackcaps.
“I already had the power game; I have scored runs at number 3 as well. Now, especially batting at number 5 or 6, I think about going for a boundary off the very first ball only if it’s there to be hit. Otherwise, I focus on taking the game deep. I take a bit more time. Initially, I focus on singles and doubles, finding gaps for fours or two runs,” Tilak Varma concluded.
The fourth T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.
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