Tilak Varma Suited for No. 6 Role but Batting Order Flexible for West Indies Clash: Ryan ten Doeschate

Kolkata, Feb 28: India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate believes Tilak Varma is ideally suited to the No. 6 role in T20 cricket, but stopped short of confirming that the left-hander will bat in the same position in the must-win T20 World Cup 2026 clash against West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday (March 1).

Tilak's promotion down the order against Zimbabwe proved to be a turning point in his tournament. After a subdued run at one-down, where his strike-rate dipped to around 120, the Mumbai Indians batter flourished at the back end, smashing 44 off 16 balls with four sixes and three boundaries at a strike-rate of 275. The innings showcased his ability to enter around the 10-over mark and provide late acceleration.

Ten Doeschate said the knock demonstrated Tilak's adaptability and comfort in a finisher's role. He noted that the youngster "looked like a number six," praising the way he assessed the situation and delivered power through the middle and death overs. However, he emphasised that India's batting order remains flexible depending on match-ups and game scenarios, particularly against a West Indies side that could deploy left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and all-round options like Roston Chase.

The team management also factored in Tilak's recent return from abdominal surgery, which had kept him out of action for four weeks before the tournament. Ten Doeschate pointed out that the slow start was expected given the layoff and that the batter has been gradually building rhythm. His performance against Zimbabwe, according to the coach, was a sign of him returning to his natural tempo.

India view Tilak's ability to bridge the middle overs and finish strongly as a key tactical asset. The coaching staff believe that linking a stable start with a high-impact finish is crucial to India's batting blueprint, especially on high-scoring surfaces like Eden Gardens.

With a deep batting line-up and multiple entry-point options, India are likely to retain flexibility rather than lock players into fixed positions. Tilak's resurgence has added an extra layer of power to the middle order, giving the hosts a valuable option in what is effectively a knockout encounter against the Caribbean side.