Tilak Varma says he’ll bat at five or six as Ishan Kishan secures No. 3 spot

Tilak Varma has accepted a permanent shift from the No. 3 slot to the middle order in India’s T20I side. A year ago he was almost guaranteed the third‑batting position, but Ishan Kishan’s recent resurgence and consistent performances at number three forced Varma to move down to number five or six. Varma told reporters after the fifth T20I against West Indies on Saturday that the change is "slightly challenging" but he is mentally prepared to do the job for the team. He said he still prefers finishing games from the top of the order, yet he has no choice while Kishan bats brilliantly at three. Varma added that he has been practising to adapt his shots for both roles and believes a day or two of targeted practice is enough to perform anywhere in the line‑up. He also spoke about the constant travel and time‑zone changes that younger players face, noting that professional cricketers must be mentally strong to handle back‑to‑back series and varied conditions. "We are used to it now," he said, stressing that playing for the country at the highest level demands preparation for any challenge. ## Context The shift reflects India’s current batting combination, where a reliable finisher is needed at the end while Ishan Kishan cements his place in the top order. This adjustment is common in modern T20 cricket, where flexible batting line‑ups allow teams to respond to form and opposition tactics.