Tilak Varma shifts to number five and targets boundaries from first ball
Tilak Varma's approach change comes as India prepare for the fourth T20I against New Zealand with selection questions emerging around the pace attack.
Tilak Varma has shifted to batting at number five and now targets boundaries from the first ball against New Zealand. The 23-year-old left-hander emphasised taking the game deep and believes bowlers face more pressure in closing stages. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to India's T20I team for the New Zealand series but has taken one wicket in three matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin criticised Bhuvneshwar's drop in pace and lack of swing after the seamer finished the third T20I with figures of 0 for 40. Aakash Chopra recommends Mayank Yadav replace Arshdeep Singh in the fourth T20I and wants India to give opportunities to young players in the remaining matches. Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 133 runs in seven overs in the third T20I.
India chased 199 and won the third T20I by six wickets in 13.2 overs. New Zealand have summoned Matt Fisher as Lockie Ferguson's replacement, while Matt Henry is recovering from a quadricep injury and is expected to rejoin for ODIs.