Kris Srikkanth slams Tilak Varma after Ireland defeat: 'He was just playing for himself'

Kris Srikkanth questioned the lack of intent from the middle order, particularly Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel.

Updated on: Jun 30, 2026, 14:38:47 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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India's T20I series defeat to Ireland has raised serious questions just months after their T20 World Cup triumph. The result comes as an early setback for a team that opted for significant changes despite ending their long wait for a global title earlier this year. Suryakumar Yadav was stripped of the captaincy and also lost his place in the squad, while Shreyas Iyer returned to the T20I setup after a lengthy absence and was immediately handed the responsibility of leading the side. His first assignment, however, could hardly have gone worse. India brushed off the opening defeat as a one-off, but Ireland produced another disciplined performance in the second T20I to clinch the series 2-0 and underline that the first win was no fluke. India's batting, expected to be one of their biggest strengths, failed to deliver in both matches. Chasing a modest target of 155 in the second game, the visitors struggled to build partnerships and eventually fell just one run short. The defeat handed India a rare bilateral T20I series loss and gave the team management plenty to think about as the new leadership group begins its journey.

Tilak Varma smashed 55 runs off 46 balls against Ireland in second T20I. (X/@BCCI)

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth criticised India's approach with the bat, saying the visitors lost the second T20I during the middle overs. He questioned the lack of intent from the middle order, particularly Tilak Varma (55 off 46 balls), Shivam Dube (20 off 16 balls) and Axar Patel (14 off 18 balls), arguing that their inability to rotate gears at the right time proved costly in the narrow one-run defeat.

"You can't play the way India did in the middle phase, especially Tilak Varma, Dube and Axar. All their strike rates were poor. You have to stabilise a bit and then start attacking in the middle phase. Otherwise, you'll be finished if you fail in the middle phase. India lost the game in the middle phase. Tilak Varma was just playing for himself by sneaking in ones and twos. Axar Patel was the same," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

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“Tilak Varma tried to become the hero”

Srikkanth also questioned Tilak's approach during the chase, suggesting the left-hander was too focused on taking the game deep instead of finishing it earlier. Srikkanth felt India should have wrapped up the chase with an over to spare rather than allowing the match to go down to the final delivery.

"Tilak Varma tried to take it till the end and become the hero. He thought of winning it in the end and celebrate by lifting his jersey. These targets have to be chased down with an over to spare and not go till the end," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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