As the Indian cricket team progresses to the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup, its batting lineup faces critical scrutiny, particularly the top order. Abhishek Sharma has struggled to provide effective starts, while Tilak Varma, who was expected to stabilize the innings after early wickets, has also failed to meet performance expectations. Over five innings, Varma has scored just 107 runs, with an average of 21.40 and a strike rate of 118.88, which is considered underwhelming for a player in the pivotal number three position.

Former cricket great Sunil Gavaskar has openly expressed his disappointment with Varma's batting approach. He emphasized that after a wicket falls, the priority should shift from aggression to building partnerships, especially when facing a run rate of 9.5 against South Africa. Gavaskar argued that Varma's mindset to aggressively attack right after a wicket fell was counterproductive and called for more composure and strategy during innings build-up. This nuanced understanding of the game dynamics underscores the shifting challenges that players face in high-stakes matches.

The manner in which Varma got out against South Africa raised further alarms. He opted to play an aggressive shot against Marco Jansen on just the second ball, which resulted in him edging the ball. This decision was viewed as deviating from his natural game, suggesting a troubling adoption of a more aggressive style that could jeopardize the team's stability in critical moments. As the team moves forward, addressing these batting issues will be crucial for sustaining competitiveness in the tournament.