Tilak Varma reveals Gambhir and Kotak backed him to finish the chase
Varma revealed Gambhir and Kotak backed him to stay till the end and finish the chase. He remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls in the four-wicket win.
Tilak Varma said head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak told him before the second T20I that all of India believes in him. The message came during a pre-match conversation about his role as a finisher. Varma remained unbeaten on 51 off 26 balls to guide India to a four-wicket win.
He credited Naman Dhir for their 42-run partnership and said the plan was to push hard against the spinners. After Dhir fell, Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy added an unbroken 69 runs to complete the chase. Varma said the Hyderabadi pair were happy to wait for the fast bowlers before attacking.
India lead the series 2-0 after winning with one ball to spare at Hagley Oval. The third T20I is in Wellington on Tuesday.
CricHubb Take
The pre-match conversation shows how India are deliberately building Varma's confidence as a designated finisher. His ability to absorb pressure before accelerating has become a defining trait.