Suryakumar Yadav breaks silence on Tilak Varma's sluggish batting ahead of IND vs SA Super 8 T20 World Cup clash

The stage is set for a heavyweight showdown on February 22, as India face South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Both sides enter this high-stakes fixture with unblemished records from the group stages, adding an extra layer of intensity to the contest. As a rematch of the previous edition's final, this weekend clash is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament.

Suryakumar Yadav strongly backs Tilak Varma

Ahead of the encounter, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed the media during a pre-match press conference to discuss the team's preparations. A significant portion of the discussion focused on Tilak Varma, whose relatively low strike rate and overall performance during the World Cup have become a topic of discussion.

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Addressing rumors that Varma might be dropped from the playing XI due to his scoring rate, Suryakumar firmly dismissed any such speculation. He clarified that the young batter is executing a specific role defined by the team management, which requires him to anchor the innings and adapt his play based on the immediate match situation.

While defending Tilak's strike rate, the captain offered strong backing for the star southpaw and said:

"The team management has told Tilak to play that way. If 2 wickets are down, he has to play out some overs and take backseat. I'm sure he must not be happy with the way he's batting, he's been working hard in the practice but I'm not concerned about him."

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Tilak Varma's robust track record

Tilak's inclusion is bolstered by his exceptional track record against South Africa. Since 2023, the left-hander has dominated Aiden Markram’s side, amassing 496 runs across 10 innings with an extraordinary average of 70.85 and a blistering strike rate of 163.15. With two centuries and two fifties to his name against the Proteas, Tilak has proven to be a persistent threat, making him a central figure in India's game plan for this heavyweight rematch.