Tilak Varma reveals how he handles pressure in T20 cricket

India T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma recalled his performances against Pakistan, saying his confidence remains unchanged. He also discussed handling pressure in the lower order and explained why he believes bowlers face greater pressure during the closing overs

Auckland: India T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has highlighted his performances against Pakistan, saying he has done well against the arch-rivals on multiple occasions.

Speaking ahead of India’s fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, Tilak was asked how much confidence he had gained from his match-changing unbeaten 51 off 22 balls against Pakistan in the Asian Games final earlier this month.

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The Indian vice-captain gave a cheeky reply, pointing out that he had performed well against Pakistan before, too. He was referring to his match-winning unbeaten 69 in the Asia Cup 2025 final, which helped India register a famous win while chasing a target of 147.

“(My performance against) Pakistan was good before, too. Whenever I bat at No. 5 to 7 in the lower order, I don’t get much time to bat. Even when I get the opportunity, I have to bat under a lot of pressure. So, whenever I get a chance, I try to win the game.

“I try to finish the game. So, after the Pakistan game, I have the same confidence. There is no change. It’s not like I wasn’t scoring for 10 matches and then scored against Pakistan all of a sudden.

“It didn’t happen like that. As it is said, I keep scoring. I remain focused on scoring runs for the team. I always want to help the team win. It’s simple. And there is such a good atmosphere in the team. There is such good backing. So, in my mind, it remains: how can I win every match for the team?” he added.

Tilak also boasts an impressive record of never having lost a match when unbeaten in a T20 chase. Speaking about the statistic, the southpaw said that although pressure was inevitable, he had learnt to manage it and find ways to score runs.

“I can’t say stress. There is always pressure and nerves. Till the last day of your cricket career, pressure will always be there. So, it is the same feeling.

“But it has become a habit to manage it. Every individual has a different way. Some people breathe. Some talk a little more in between to settle those nerves. So, every individual is different. I also have my own way,” he added.

In the second T20I against New Zealand, Tilak smashed an unbeaten 51 off 26 balls to guide India to a hard-fought four-wicket win. India successfully chased down a target of 181 in Christchurch with one ball to spare.

“In the end overs, as a batter, the bowler is under far more pressure than I am. That positive thought is constantly running in my head, that the bowler is under more pressure, so they are bound to leak runs,” he added.