India's T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has clapped back at his strike-rate critics with a perfect response ahead of the Zimbabwe series. Tilak's strike-rate has seen a serious dip in the last few years since he made his breakthrough into the team.

From 187.73 in 2024, the southpaw's strike-rate this year has been 143.12 as he has struggled against spin. During the recent UK tour, Tilak had a strike-rate of 152.94 in England and 110.44 in Ireland. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Zimbabwe series, Tilak said that he always keeps the team's needs at the forefront. The southpaw claimed that he can hit the ball hard from ball one, but said his approach with the bat is dictated by the team's need at a given situation.

“In this game, you have to bat in different places, and especially in such conditions, it’s not easy. At the same point, I always say that I do whatever is required for the team. If I have to stop and play for the team, then I stop and play. If I have to hit, then I hit and play," Tilak said in a press conference on Tuesday.

"I can go and hit the first ball. But at the same point, 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, then our team planning keeps changing."

THE VICE-CAPTAINCY EFFECT

Tilak was appointed as Shreyas Iyer's vice-captain after the BCCI decided to give the T20I side a makeover after their T20 World Cup win. While the role doesn't mean a lot in practical terms, Tilak said that the added responsibility does affect how he plays.

“So when you have a vice-captaincy in your name, then 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," said Tilak.

India will face Zimbabwe in a three-match series, which will begin on July 23.

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