India, Feb. 22 -- Before the 2026 T20 World Cup began, Tilak Varma was expected to be one of India's star batters. But it hasn't gone according to plan, and he has struggled in this tournament. Speaking ahead of India's Super 8 opener vs South Africa, India captain Suryakumar Yadav was asked about replacing Tilak, but he dismissed such suggestions right away.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, he said, "I mean I have told him, the team management has told him that he has to bat that way. If one wicket is down, then he is definitely, he can go and have his own game in the powerplay."

"But as soon as two wickets are down, then he has to take a little bit of backseat, get a partnership again, get to the 10th over and then we have ...