The Asia Cup is more than just a prestigious contest between cricketing heavyweights— it is also often a launching pad for careers to take off or falter. India is filled with cricketers able to take opportunities when presented globally, but it only takes one series to collapse for any good quality player to eventually find themselves on the outside looking in on a prosperous career. At this moment, there is no cricketer under this pressure than Tilak Varma.
Fierce Competition Breathing Down His Neck
Being a talented batter for India is like trying to get a seat on a packed local train in Mumbai—there’s always someone ready to push you out. With Shubman Gill back in the mix, Sanju Samson racking up centuries, and youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad knocking on the door, Tilak is surrounded by heavyweights.
What makes it tougher is the sheer ruthlessness of the Indian selection. Unlike other teams, where one or two standout players carry the batting lineup, India can field multiple strong XIs at the T20 level. That means even one mediocre tournament can put a batter out of the spotlight. And with Tilak still early in his international career—without the cushion of leadership experience or long-term seniority—he doesn’t have the luxury of time. This Asia Cup could be the difference between him becoming a long-term middle-order solution or just another “what could have been” story.
Great Stats, But Worrying Recent Form
On paper, Tilak’s numbers are mouthwatering. A T20I average close to 50 with a strike rate north of 155? That’s elite territory. Add to that his IPL record for Mumbai Indians, where he’s averaged over 37 at a healthy strike rate, and you’d think his spot is untouchable.
However, the challenge is that cricket isn’t played on paper. After his wonderful run in South Africa, Tilak seems to have faded. He has hardly done anything against England at home and was able to scrape only 42 runs in 3 innings. He has played some IPL 2025 matches and made only 343 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 130+, which is great, but we saw guys scoring in the 150+ strike range at the same time, and these guys are not all Virat Kohli!
The Versatility Question
If cricket has taught us anything, it’s that adaptability is everything. Batting at No. 3 and piling on runs? Tilak has nailed that. But move him down the order, and things get tricky. His strike rate plummets outside the top three—from a fiery 170 at one-drop to below 138 at No. 4 and even lower at No. 5.
In modern T20 cricket, versatility is everything. Coaches want batters who can steady the innings after a collapse or accelerate in the death overs. Tilak, however, has struggled outside the top order, where India already has plenty of specialists. Unless he proves his range in the Asia Cup and beyond, selectors may view him as limited in scope—especially when others offer greater flexibility.
FAQs
1. Why is the Asia Cup 2025 important for Tilak Varma?
Because it could decide whether he secures a permanent spot in India’s T20I team.
2. What makes Tilak Varma’s position in the team uncertain?
India’s batting lineup is stacked with in-form contenders pushing for opportunities.
3. Has Tilak Varma performed well in T20Is so far?
Yes, he averages nearly 50 with a strike rate above 155 in T20Is.
