“Picture abhi baaki hai, mere dost.”
Tilak Varma’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign feels exactly like that line. The promise is still there, the talent unquestioned, but the spark has flickered more than it has flared.
India walk into their Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad unbeaten. On the surface, it looks comfortable. Underneath, there is a sense that the batting unit has not quite hit cruising speed.
Let’s be fair, India’s group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026 passed without too many scars. The wins came against USA, Namibia, the Netherlands and Pakistan. Apart from Pakistan, the other three opponents still have ground to cover before being labelled genuine threats to the defending champions at this level.
While this does not take anything away from their own World Cup journeys, India did what was required – stayed unbeaten, and moved on without drama.
It is now in this Super 8s stage that Tilak Varma’s role becomes pivotal.
The memories from the Asia Cup final remain fresh. Yes, he played a match-winning unbeaten 69 off 53 against Pakistan. Yes, he absorbed pressure, paced it beautifully and finished the job. But not every game is that script. Not every opponent is Pakistan. And not every pitch will allow you to drift before switching gears.
As their first test in the Super 8s comes against South Africa, India will need more than stability. They will need assertion.
Tilak’s overall T20I record justifies the faith. In 44 matches, he averages over 46 with a strike rate nearing 142. Against South Africa specifically, the numbers are extraordinary: 496 runs in 10 innings at 70.85, striking at 163.15, with two centuries and two fifties. The back-to-back hundreds in Johannesburg and Centurion in 2024 were not careful innings. They were commanding.
This tournament, though, has seen a different version. From four matches, he has 106 runs at 26.50. His strike rate sits at 120.45. Scores of 25 off 24, 25 off 21 and 31 off 27 suggest control, but not domination. On surfaces where the ball has gripped, he has often looked caught between intent and instruction.
THE ANCHOR ROLE VS THE INSTINCT
Suryakumar Yadav explained during the pre-match press conference, that the decison of bringing forward this “composed” Tilak was a team call. Not one from the player.
“The team management has told him he has to bat that way. If only one wicket falls, he can play his natural attacking game in the powerplay. But if two wickets fall early, he needs to take a step back, build a partnership, get to the 10th over and then we have enough firepower to take on the bowling,” he said.
Surya added, “I am sure he is not happy with how things have gone so far. He has worked very hard in the last two or three practice sessions. But I have no concerns about him. He has delivered for India at No. 3 consistently, and I am confident he will do so again.”
The reassurance is strong. But roles can become habits. And habits, if overplayed, can dilute instinct.
Tilak’s natural game has always been proactive. He reads length quickly, uses his feet well against spin and is comfortable taking on pace. The numbers against South Africa prove that when he backs his strengths, he does not just survive — he dictates.
WHY INDIA NEEDS 2024 TILAK VS SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa’s bowling attack will not allow India the comfort of drifting through the middle overs.
Kagiso Rabada brings pace and precision. Lungi Ngidi’s cutters grip and dip. Marco Jansen extracts bounce. Keshav Maharaj controls tempo. Even Aiden Markram is willing to use himself early if match-ups favour it. If India are conservative for too long, the squeeze will come.
And if the powerplay does not yield momentum, the equation tilts quickly.
Because South Africa’s batting has the muscle to punish hesitation. Markram looks composed. Ryan Rickelton plays through the line cleanly. Tristan Stubbs thrives when pace is offered. Quinton de Kock remains one of the most destructive starters in the format. Give them an above-par chase with dew around, and they will not tiptoe.
India have not faced sustained pressure yet in this tournament. Save for Ishan Kishan’s explosive starts, the top order has not consistently set games alight. Against stronger opposition, the margin for a 25 off 24 shrinks considerably.
That is why the 2024 version of Tilak matters here. The one who scored 120 not out off 47 in Johannesburg did not wait for the perfect moment. The one who struck 107 off 56 in Centurion imposed himself on quality bowling.
This does not mean abandoning responsibility. It means recognising that against an attack and batting unit of South Africa’s calibre, silence at No. 3 can be costly.
India do not need recklessness. They need decisiveness.
And if Tilak can blend the anchor’s awareness with the aggressor’s instinct, the script in Ahmedabad might finally give India some much-needed promise for the Super 8s stage, and possibly a title defence.
T20 World Cup | T20 World Cup Schedule | T20 World Cup Points Table | T20 World Cup Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
