Ahead of India’s virtual knockout against West Indies in their last Super 8 clash at Eden Gardens, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate addressed the team's evolving batting order. The spotlight remains on Tilak Varma, whose recent explosive 44* off just 16 balls against Zimbabwe at number six offered a stark contrast to his previous struggles at number three. Despite this late-innings brilliance, ten Doeschate clarified that Varma’s position in the lower-middle order is not a "foregone conclusion," suggesting the management is still weighing their options to find the most balanced lineup for Sunday’s clash.
We have different entry points for batters: Ryan Ten Doeschate on Tilak Varma
The stakes for this encounter are immense, as the winner will secure the final semifinal spot from Group 1 to face England at the Wankhede Stadium. With South Africa already through, the Men in Blue are under pressure to finalize a combination that maximizes their power-hitting. The recent inclusion of Sanju Samson has further reshuffled the deck; Samson’s brisk 24 off 15 balls helped anchor a massive total of 256/4 against Zimbabwe, while Ishan Kishan took over the number three spot previously held by Tilak.
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During the pre-match press conference, ten Doeschate expressed satisfaction with how the players have adapted to these tactical shifts. He noted that the successful outing in the previous match has provided the coaching staff with a wider array of batting options and combinations. As India prepares for this must-win scenario, the flexibility shown by the squad appears to be a key asset in their strategy to overcome the West Indies and advance in the tournament.
"We have always spoken about versatility and being able to play different roles and in different circumstances. I thought the other night in Chennai, I was a good example of that. I thought Tilak looked really good at five or six where he came in, in that role for someone who's batted three for the majority of the last 18 months. I thought he did fantastically well. And now we've got options going into this last phase of the tournament against the West Indies. Again, we will have a proper look at the pitch and decide what combination we're going to put out there. But certainly, Sanju coming back after sitting on the side for so long, he looked in good touch. He made some good choices, and he got us out of the blocks quickly. And it was not a scorecard that was dominated by anyone, but everyone chipped in. And that is sort of our modus operandi. We just want guys to focus on partnerships and keep the rate going quickly throughout the innings, and everyone did really well at that the other night," Ten Doeschate said at the pre-match press conference.
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Regarding Tilak’s specific role for the upcoming match against the West Indies, Doeschate emphasised that the team’s lineup remains fluid. He stated that it is not a 'foregone conclusion' whether Tilak will occupy the number five or six spot, despite his recent success in the lower-middle order. The coaching staff is prioritizing versatility, aiming to match their "entry points" for each batter based on the specific game situation and the opposition's bowling tactics.
'We have a little bit more power down the middle'
Ten Doeschate noted that Tilak looked like a 'natural number six' during his explosive cameo against Zimbabwe, particularly in his ability to adapt to a 10-over entry point. While the management was pleased to see him back to his powerful best, they are keeping their options open to ensure the batting order can respond reactively to the West Indies' attack. By refusing to lock Varma into a single position, the team hopes to maintain the flexibility needed to navigate the high pressure of this virtual quarterfinal.
"Now we do have options. We have seen at work having Sanju at the top of the order. They might play (Roston) Chase, they might play Akea (Hosein), we kind of bank on them playing Chase (an off-spinner, which has troubled India's left-handers). So that is one strategy we have, and we have different entry points for the guys ideally, where they come in. And like I said, I thought Tilak the other night, he looked like a number six, he looked like someone who is really comfortable at a 10 over entry point, and I think that is a massive kudos to him, the way he has adapted his game," he added.
"He played the situation beautifully, so it is comforting to know that we have a little bit more power down the middle. And like I always say, the link between getting out of the blocks quickly and setting up for the back end is the key to India's success. And it is nice to know that Tilak can perform both roles," he concluded.