Tilak Varma says no option but to bat at five or six for India

Tilak Varma said there is no option but to bat at five or six in India's T20I side while Ishan Kishan holds the number three spot. The vice-captain told reporters after the fifth T20I against West Indies that he has worked on finishing games and is confident he can adapt to either position with a day or two of practice.

The 23-year-old left-hander averages 65.66 while batting at number six at a strike rate of 195 across nine matches, and 46 at a strike rate of 158 across 26 combined innings at five and six. He said the combination at the top is settled and he is ready to embrace the finishing role for the team.

Tilak added that professional cricketers cannot make excuses about back-to-back series and different time zones. India will travel to New Zealand for five T20Is starting on October 22 after the West Indies series ended in a 2-2 draw.