IPL 2026
Suryakumar Yadav Calls Tilak Varma ‘Annoying’, Dodges No.3 Question Ahead Of IPL 2026
By CricShots - Mar 21, 2026 12:44 pm
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India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav gave fans a glimpse of the lighter side of dressing-room dynamics with a playful take on teammate Tilak Varma. In a candid interaction, Suryakumar jokingly described Tilak as “annoying,” a remark that reflected the easy camaraderie the two share rather than any real criticism.

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma

The exchange quickly caught attention for its natural humour and timing. When asked if there was something about Tilak that fans might not know, Suryakumar Yadav didn’t hesitate. “Tilak is very irritating and annoying,” he said with a smile, making it clear that the comment came from a place of comfort and familiarity built over time in shared dressing rooms.

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The conversation then took an interesting turn when Tilak himself posed a direct question: whether he would bat at No. 3 for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. The youngster, who has shown immense promise in that role, seemed keen for clarity ahead of the new season.

Suryakumar’s response added another layer to the moment. “I don’t know. I’m not the captain in the IPL—you’ll have to ask Hardik Pandya,” he replied, subtly reminding everyone of the leadership dynamics within the Mumbai Indians setup.

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The No. 3 debate isn’t new for Tilak. During India’s T20I series against South Africa in late 2024, he had personally requested the position from Suryakumar to better express his game. Backed by the captain, Tilak made the most of the opportunity, even registering a memorable century.

Moments like these highlight not just the talent within Indian cricket, but also the strong bonds that fuel performances on the field.