Star India batter Tilak Varma opined on the pre-match speculation about his place in the playing XI with an unbeaten 44 in Team India’s 256-run surge against Zimbabwe in Chennai, making a strong case to retain his spot before the knockout match against the West Indies.

Speaking after the match, Tilak said, “Before the game, we spoke about our brand of cricket. We watched how we’ve played over the last year. That gave everyone confidence. The message was simple — smile, enjoy, and go all out.”

He also said that the surface was a good one, but also added that it remained consistent across both innings as well.

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“To be honest, it was a very good wicket,” he said. “But in the second innings also, you can see the way Bennett and Raza played. The wicket was even better than the first innings. Whatever the team needs, I am up for it,” Tilak said. “I have done the same role for the last four years in the IPL and also for India in a few games. According to the situation, I can adjust. I was just waiting for one innings. The right time has come.”

However, Team India’s aggressive approach was seen throughout the innings. Tilak also revealed that the team had discussed maintaining the same intent even during the early wickets. He also credited the openers for setting the tone, saying early momentum allowed the middle order to play freely as well.

“We discussed that even if we lose three or four wickets in the powerplay, we will back the same rhythm. We want to show the bowlers that we are ready to hit every ball. When the openers give a good start, that confidence follows to number three, four and five. Sanju started brilliantly and everyone followed,” he said. “If the next ball is in range, we will hit. In my mind, if it’s in my zone, I’m hitting it for six.”

“We want to play fearless cricket — the brand we have played since last year,” he said. “The same intent we want to keep in the next game and through the tournament. If the wicket is not good, we will adjust, but the intensity will stay. We are not thinking about scoring more than 250,” he said. “But if the team is permitting and we get a good start, of course we will go for it.”