Chennai, Feb 27 (NationPress) Indian cricketer Tilak Varma expressed his desire for the team’s batsmen to instill dread in the Zimbabwean bowlers by attacking every delivery. This aggressive approach resulted in a significant 72-run victory, keeping their semifinal aspirations alive in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

At the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the Indian batting lineup enjoyed a remarkable performance, with every player achieving a strike rate above 150 and accumulating a formidable total of 254/6. This score was more than enough to secure a crucial win, as Zimbabwe ended their innings at 184/6.

“This was our objective. A solid start from the openers gave confidence to the middle-order batsmen. (Sanju) Samson began excellently, and everyone followed suit. We aimed to keep attacking, even if we lost a few wickets during the powerplay. We wanted to instill fear in the opposition bowlers, showing we were ready to hit every ball,” remarked Tilak after the match.

Reflecting on India's return to an aggressive batting style after a setback against South Africa, Tilak noted the positive influence of the coaching staff. “Before the game, we discussed maintaining a positive mindset. We reviewed our past year's performances in T20 cricket to boost our confidence. As a team, we agreed to enjoy the game, wear smiles, and go all out,” he stated.

When asked about being moved down the batting order after scoring an unbeaten 44, Tilak replied, “I always say I’m ready to contribute wherever the team needs me. I’ve played this role for the Mumbai Indians and in several matches for the national team as well. If a wicket falls, I’ll still aim to hit a six on the next ball and adjust accordingly.”

“However, we strive to play fearless cricket. The style we exhibited today and in the past year is what we plan to maintain in our next match. While we’re not fixated on scoring over 250, if the situation allows after a good start, then we’ll certainly aim for it,” he added.

He concluded by emphasizing the team’s intention to carry the same mindset into their upcoming game against the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday. “Cricket is unpredictable. A strong mindset is crucial. We previously held back, waiting for opportunities when wickets fell. Personally, I considered that if conditions were challenging, I would take a few balls to settle.”

“Now, we’re focusing on enjoying our game. If the first ball is there, we’ll hit it and create uncertainty for the bowlers. That was our goal today, and thankfully, Sanju provided a fantastic start. We aim to maintain that intensity moving forward.”