Young India batter Tilak Varma has responded to the criticism surrounding his strike rate in T20I cricket after an underwhelming tour of Ireland and England. The left-hander admitted that being appointed India's vice-captain has brought added responsibility, saying his role often requires him to bat according to the team's situation rather than playing aggressively from the outset.

Tilak Varma, who was named Shreyas Iyer's deputy, said he is willing to adapt his approach depending on the match situation and the expectations of the team management.

Tilak Varma flops hard on Ireland, England tours

Tilak Varma endured a disappointing tour of the United Kingdom despite registering two half-centuries. The left-handed batter featured in seven T20Is against Ireland and England, scoring 178 runs at an average of 25.42.

His best score came in the second T20I against Ireland in Belfast, where he made 55 off 46 balls. He later scored 53 off 25 balls in the final T20I against England at Southampton.

However, Tilak failed to convert his starts consistently. His scores across the tour read 19, 55, 13, 24, 3, 11 and 53*, drawing criticism over his strike rate and inability to dominate spin during the middle overs.

India also struggled collectively during the tour, losing the T20I series 2-0 to Ireland before suffering a 4-0 defeat against England. Shreyas Iyer's side will now look to bounce back in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

"I'm playing for the country, so there are a lot of responsibilities" - Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma faced considerable criticism throughout the UK tour, with many questioning his strike rate and approach in the middle overs. Addressing the issue ahead of the first T20I against Zimbabwe, the left-hander said he always puts the team's requirements ahead of personal milestones.

“In this game, you have to bat in different places, and especially in such conditions, it's not easy. At the same time, I always say that I do whatever is required for the team. If I have to grind it out and play for the team, I do. If I have to hit from ball number one, then I do that. So at that time, in the conditions of the team, if you look at it, from Ireland to England, you always had four to five wickets falling inside the powerplay or the first 10 overs,” Tilak told reporters in the pre-match press conference.

He added that taking unnecessary risks simply to improve his strike rate would not benefit the team.

"So going there and then getting out in trying to accelerate, it doesn't make sense. So that's what I always have in my mind, that I can go and hit the first ball. But at the same time, I'm playing for the country, so there are a lot of responsibilities. So what are the conditions of the team? If I have to play for the team till the end, our team's plans keep changing. When you are the vice-captain, the team gives you something after thinking about it. So I want to take the same responsibilities that the management gives me, so I'm playing according to that.”

"Honestly, it has been a big learning experience since the last series" - Tilak Varma on India's losses

Reflecting on India's disappointing tour, Tilak Varma described the defeats against Ireland and England as valuable learning experiences and said the team is fully focused on starting afresh against Zimbabwe.

“Honestly, it has been a big learning experience since the last series. We are just looking ahead, sticking to our basics, and doing well in the upcoming series.

"Obviously, if you see everyone has played enough domestic cricket and A-series just before this, so they are ready to play the series, and it's just a different, it's just the same thing, but just a bigger stage.”

India will begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe on July 23, with Tilak Varma continuing as vice-captain under Shreyas Iyer as the visitors aim to register their first T20I series win of the season.