Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar launched a scathing assault on younger batter Tilak Varma following India’s humiliating 76-run defeat in opposition to South Africa within the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash on the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The defending champions, chasing a goal of 188, had been bundled out for a paltry 111 in 18.5 overs, struggling their heaviest defeat in T20 World Cup historical past.
“Disillusioned together with his strategy”: Sunil Gavaskar questions Tilak Varma’s shot choice
Talking on Star Sports activities after the match, Gavaskar didn’t mince phrases whereas criticising Tilak Varma’s reckless dismissal. Coming in at No. 3 after Ishan Kishan fell for a duck within the very first over, Tilak tried an ill-advised cost at Marco Jansen, made room, and tried to slap the ball over mid-off, solely to edge behind to Quinton de Kock for simply 1 run.
“Sure, I feel he’s been a really street-smart batter. I used to be a bit dissatisfied together with his strategy as we speak as a result of, look, a wicket had already fallen. Sure, the required fee was 9.5 runs an over, however it wasn’t such as you had been chasing 15 runs an over,” Gavaskar stated.
The previous India captain emphasised that Tilak ought to have proven extra accountability, particularly with an out-of-form Abhishek Sharma on the different finish who had registered three consecutive geese within the group stage.
“So you possibly can have given your self a bit extra time, notably as a result of on the different finish, Abhishek Sharma hadn’t bought runs. Subsequently, the accountability was yours to attempt to stick round with Abhishek and construct a partnership, get previous these six overs. With a wicket gone, you don’t need to get to 70. Even 55 would have been a great type of platform,” he added.
The left-hander’s dismissal continued what has been a disappointing marketing campaign for him personally. Throughout 5 matches in T20 World Cup 2026, Tilak has managed solely 107 runs at a mean of 21.40 and a strike fee of 118.88 – nicely under his regular requirements.
Earlier than Sunday’s recreation, Tilak had amassed 496 runs in 10 T20Is in opposition to the Proteas at an astonishing common of 70.85 and a strike fee of 163.15, together with two centuries and two fifties. These numbers advised a beneficial match-up, however Sunday’s outing didn’t mirror that dominance.
India’s top-order collapse was full inside the powerplay itself. After Kishan’s first-ball duck and Tilak’s dismissal for 1, Abhishek Sharma managed 15 off 12 balls earlier than falling to Jansen’s knuckle ball. At 31 for 3 contained in the powerplay, India’s chase was successfully useless.
“They got here out with overconfidence”: Gavaskar on India’s batting strategy in opposition to South Africa
Past Tilak’s dismissal, Gavaskar slammed your complete Indian batting unit for failing to study from how South Africa rebuilt their innings after being decreased to twenty for 3 inside 4 overs. David Miller (63 off 35) and Dewald Brevis (45 off 29) added 97 runs for the fourth wicket, enjoying intelligently on a difficult floor the place the ball was not coming onto the bat shortly.
“While you have a look at how Dewald Brevis and David Miller repaired the South African innings, they performed pictures extra within the V. When the bouncers had been bowled, they countered them intelligently as a result of they realised that the ball was not coming onto the bat shortly. Having seen how Brevis and Miller constructed their partnership, that was the strategy wanted from the Indian batters,” Gavaskar noticed.
“However India didn’t take notes from South Africa’s innings. They got here out and threw their bat at each supply, hoping for a boundary. That’s not the way you play T20 cricket. You need to study from the opposition. If they’ve scored nicely on a difficult floor like this, it’s a must to do away with your ego, observe and alter. The Indian batters didn’t try this. They got here out with overconfidence, threw their bat at every little thing and misplaced wickets. South Africa clearly outsmarted India, and it was a well-deserved win for them,” he added.
Additionally READ: Suryakumar Yadav reveals turning point in India’s Super 8 defeat to South Africa in T20 World Cup 2026
Gavaskar’s recommendation for struggling Abhishek Sharma
Gavaskar additionally analysed Abhishek’s ongoing struggles, revealing how South Africa cleverly exploited his desire for creating room on the off-side.
“He was a bit trapped, and South Africa bowled very cleverly. They know he likes to create room and play by way of the off-side. Take a look at Rabada – he stored concentrating on the pads, even after being hit for a six, he didn’t change his line,” Gavaskar noticed.
The 76-year-old suggested Abhishek to deal with rotating strike quite than forcing huge pictures. “He shouldn’t power himself to play huge pictures throughout the road. Take a single and get off the mark. Even 4 dot balls don’t matter,” he suggested.
Additionally WATCH: Pakistan TV channel dubs Mohammad Amir an ‘astrologer,’ credits him for India’s defeat to South Africa
