Tilak Varma opens up on vice-captaincy role, reveals lessons from Rohit Sharma

Tilak Varma (Source: BCCI)

India’s left-hand batter Tilak Varma has been named vice-captain of the Indian T20I side under captain Shreyas Iyer. The 23-year-old left-handed batter was included in India’s 16-member T20I squad announced on Tuesday, October 6, for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. The five-match series against New Zealand begins on October 22 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Varma spoke about his new role and the lessons he has drawn from observing senior captains. The left-hander, who made his T20I debut on August 3, 2023, against West Indies, reflected on the responsibility that comes with the vice-captaincy position and how he approaches learning captaincy skills from those around him.

“First of all, it’s a responsibility. So, people start looking at you differently than before, like slightly more senior. Only if you’ve done something will they hand you the vice-captaincy; they won’t just give it like that. So, I feel that a little extra responsibility comes with it, off the field especially. On the field, the captain will take care of things,” Varma said to JioStar.

“Obviously, when he isn’t there, your turn will come. So, I keep sharing my thoughts with Shreyas. As for the rest of the team’s atmosphere, off-field conversations, and players’ mindsets, in a team sport, players have their ups and downs, so I observe how you interact with the youngsters and where everyone stands. I look at all of that, and when I get an opportunity on the field, I will use my brain as well,” he added.

Varma has represented Hyderabad in domestic cricket and plays for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. His last T20I appearance came on September 17, 2026, against Afghanistan. The batter has had the opportunity to observe captaincy at close quarters through his involvement with the Indian team and his franchise.

Learning captaincy from Rohit Sharma’s field tactics

Varma explained that he has played under Rohit Sharma‘s captaincy in both the Mumbai Indians and the Indian team setup. He has not played under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. The young batter draws heavily from his observations of Rohit Sharma’s tactical approach and field management during matches.

“I haven’t played under Virat bhai’s captaincy but have played under Rohit bhai’s captaincy, both in MI and also in the Indian team. So, I have learned a lot of things from him. On the ground, the intensity is very high; there’s already so much running through your mind on the field, so you can’t take in as much. So, when I am off the field, I discuss a lot of things with him,” Varma noted.

“And, like, when Rohit bhai and Virat bhai were playing, I didn’t use to be in the playing eleven. So, sitting outside, I used to observe which bowler Rohit bhai brings on and when, how he uses the bowlers. I used to observe all those things from him, and I’ve incorporated that into my own approach now while being on the field,” he concluded.

Varma’s approach to learning captaincy reflects his willingness to absorb tactical knowledge from different situations. Whether on the field or watching from outside the playing eleven, he has focused on understanding bowler selection timing and usage patterns. This observation-based learning has shaped how he now approaches his own role within the team structure.

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