Tilak Varma's Stats At Number 3 And Number 5 After IND vs NZ 1st T20I

Tilak Varma scored a sluggish 6 off 11 balls in IND vs NZ 1st T20I | PC- AFP

India set the highest-ever T20 target in Christchurch, though the chase got tricky at one point. After a mammoth opening stand, the team management sent Tilak Varma at number three, but it didn't pay off.

Batting at his favourite position, the Indian vice-captain struggled at his stay in the middle, scoring just six after facing 11 balls. 

In this article, we will analyse Tilak Varma's stats at number 3 compared with his numbers at five. 

Number 3 vs 5: Tilak Varma's statistical comparison

Even though Tilak Varma struggled at number 3 during the IND vs NZ 1st T20I, the position is best suited to the southpaw. Moreover, he himself loves batting at number three. 

Varma has scored 657 runs in 22 innings at number 3, with an average of 41.06 at a strike rate of nearly 150. As he gets more time in the top order, the southpaw has smoked more boundaries (57 fours & 35 sixes) at the position.

Meanwhile, in comparison, his 451 runs at number 5 have come at an average of 37.58. His strike rate also drops by three points at the position. 

Although Varma has hit more half-centuries at number 5, he has racked up two centuries in at three. 

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Tilak Varma’s No 3 numbers dip sharply without two centuries

Taking no credit away, Tilak Varma's stats at number 3 are pretty bleak without his two centuries. 

His numbers drop exponentially without those two tons. The left-handed batter has scored 430 runs off 20 outings, merely averaging 26.87 at a strike rate of 126.47. 

In these 20 innings, he has scored three fifty-plus scores, but has been dismissed in single digits nine times. 

That said, Varma has turned around his power game to a great extend to become an extraordinary player in the middle order to finish off the innings. 

He has been striking at over 200 while batting at number 6 and 7 positions. Additionally, he has a strike rate of 235 in the death overs. 

Nevertheless, at just 23, Tilak Varma has plenty of time and opportunities to improve upon these below-par numbers and further refine his finishing skills.

He, alongwith Team India, will next be in action during the second T20I against New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Saturday. 

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