Tilak Varma (Source: AFP)
Discussion around India's T20I leadership is in the news after the conclusion of IPL 2026. According to recent reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering a leadership change in the shortest format.
Current captain Suryakumar Yadav is reportedly facing uncertainty over his position after a dip in form, while Shreyas Iyer has emerged as the leading candidate to take over the captaincy role.
The reports have also indicated that vice-captain Axar Patel could be replaced, with young batter Tilak Varma being considered as a potential successor.
While Tilak is one of India's most promising young players, appointing him as the vice-captain at this stage may not be the ideal decision for the team.
Why Tilak Varma May Not Be the Right Choice for India’s T20I Vice-Captaincy
Limited Leadership Experience
- One of the biggest concerns surrounding Tilak Varma's potential appointment as India's vice-captain is his lack of leadership experience. Although he has captained India A and led teams in tournaments such as the Emerging Teams Asia Cup, he has never led a senior Indian team.
- The fact cannot be denied that leadership in international cricket is different from age-group or franchise cricket. It requires making quick tactical decisions under pressure and adapting to different situations. These are skills that usually develop over time through experience.
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- A clear example can be seen from the IPL 2026. Mumbai Indians were without Hardik Pandya due to injury, and Suryakumar Yadav was unavailable due to personal reasons; the franchise chose Jasprit Bumrah to lead the side instead of Tilak.
Risk Of Captaincy Burden
- Another important factor is the additional pressure that comes with a leadership role. Tilak Varma has built his reputation as a calm and dependable middle-order batter for India in the T20I setup. However, leadership responsibilities could distract him from focusing solely on his batting.
- There have been examples in cricket where captaincy has negatively affected a player’s individual performances. Looking at the most recent example, Suryakumar Yadav’s batting form has suffered since taking over India’s T20I captaincy.
- For Tilak, who is still in the early stages of his career, the added pressure of vice-captaincy could slow his development.
Tilak Has Yet To Settle His Place In The Side
- While Tilak's numbers in T20 internationals are impressive, he is yet to completely secure his place in India's playing XI. At no. 3, the star player has played 20 innings and made 649 runs at an average of 46.36 and a strike rate of 151.99.
- At no. 4, he has played 14 innings and made 490 runs at an average of 54.44 and a strike rate of 128.61.
- However, statistics do not always tell the complete story. There have been times when he has struggled for consistency, and questions still remain about his ability to dominate attacks regularly.
- There is also the possibility that if Shreyas Iyer becomes captain and misses matches due to injury or workload management, the vice-captain could be required to lead the team.
- Such a scenario would place enormous pressure on Tilak at a stage when he is still trying to establish himself as a permanent member of the squad.
Conclusion
Given his age and potential, Tilak Varma undoubtedly has leadership qualities and could become a future captaincy candidate.
However, at present, India may be better served by selecting a more experienced player for the vice-captain’s role while allowing Tilak to continue developing his game.
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