Tilak Varma gets early warning as India's new vice-captain: 'Nobody's place is safe'

Mohammad Kaif urged Tilak not to treat the vice-captaincy as a guarantee of a permanent place in India's T20I side.

Updated on: Jun 26, 2026, 13:48:25 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Tilak Varma has received a timely warning as he prepares to begin his tenure as India's new T20I vice-captain. The left-hander was handed the role after the selectors opted for a major leadership overhaul despite India's T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. In a surprising move, Suryakumar Yadav not only lost the captaincy but was also dropped from the squad, with Shreyas Iyer taking over as skipper. Axar Patel, who had served as vice-captain, also made way for the 23-year-old Tilak. The promotion marks a significant milestone in Tilak's career but also brings greater expectations and responsibility.

Tilak Varma is the new vice-captain of the India's T20I team. (SLC)

Mohammad Kaif urged Tilak not to treat the vice-captaincy as a guarantee of a permanent place in India's T20I side. The former India batter stressed that performances remain the only true measure for selection, regardless of a player's leadership role. His remarks reflect the recent trend in Indian cricket, where leadership positions have offered little security. Shubman Gill, despite serving as vice-captain in several T20I series, eventually lost his place in the format and missed out on India's T20 World Cup squad. More recently, Axar Patel was replaced as vice-captain following the latest leadership reshuffle.

“Tilak Varma is the vice-captain, yes. But vice-captains have been dropped before as well. Being vice-captain doesn't mean Tilak Varma's place in the team is guaranteed. If Tilak starts thinking, ‘I'm the vice-captain, my spot is secure,’ that's simply not how this Indian team works. If he wants to keep playing, he'll have to maintain his form. Even a slight dip in form could see him dropped. Axar Patel was the vice-captain before. You'd remember that. He's no longer the vice-captain. The team has now moved on to Tilak," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

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“There's no permanent vice-captain”

Kaif further emphasised that no player, regardless of stature or leadership role, can afford to become complacent in the current Indian setup. He said the team management has created an environment where every player must justify their place through consistent performances, with selection decisions being reviewed after every game.

“So in this Indian team, nobody's place is guaranteed. Not even the captain's. There's no permanent vice-captain either. Everyone has to earn their place. Everyone has to perform in every single match. This is a phase in Indian cricket that we've never seen before. That's the mindset of the coaches and selectors now. Your place in the team is on the line every single match. That's why Tilak Varma may start with this team, but his place in the XI is by no means guaranteed going forward," 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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