The Indian team will be looking to pocket the T20I series when they face the West Indies in the fourth T20I of the five-game series on October 14, 2026, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Ahead of the game, India vice-captain Tilak Varma shared a message that coach Gautam Gambhir gave to the Men in Blue players.
Tilak said India will afford to relax against a side whose power-hitting extends till the last batter in the line-up.
"The West Indies are a fantastic side, especially in the T20 format. They play so much franchise cricket, so they know how to play this format. The power they have is unbelievable. Everyone can hit the ball. It is not just the openers, numbers three or four. All their players can strike the ball, and even the 11th batter can come in and hit. Until all 10 wickets fall, the game is not over. We cannot relax,” Varma said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir urged the bowlers to adopt a more aggressive approach and actively pursue wickets instead of allowing the opposition to dictate the game, as stated by 23-year-old Tilak, who mentioned that the squad had adjusted its defensive strategy for that match.
"Initially, in the second game, we did not go for wickets. We were slightly defensive when they (the West Indies) were scoring runs. But after that, as a team, Gautam (Gambhir) sir also mentioned that we can go for wickets and show that aggression," he said.
According to Tilak, the team will want to improve on that performance by carrying out their plans more effectively against a team that can alter the outcome of a match in a matter of overs. The middle order has had few opportunities because India's top-order batters are playing well.
“I love batting at number three, and I have said that many times. I always want that pressure. When the team needs me, I want to step up. If quick wickets fall, I can take my time and take the game deep. But if the openers or the top three batters have batted until the 14th or 15th over, I know how to change the gears from the first ball,” he said.
The fourth T20I at the Hyderabad Stadium will be played on a re-laid pitch and is likely to offer a different challenge from the venue's usual surface. Tilak said India would assess the conditions before deciding on their approach with the bat.
"You cannot go all out from the first ball without assessing the conditions. In one-day cricket, you can take five or six balls to read the wicket, but in T20, you have only one or two before you need to get going. Haven't seen the track yet but will see how the conditions behave initially and go accordingly. It is a fresh soil track, so let's see how it goes,” he said.
For Tilak, who will be playing in front of his home audience, the 4th T20I will also be a memorable event. With several Sunrisers Hyderabad players, including Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, also on the Indian team, he expressed excitement about the experience.
"It is really a proud moment for me to play in front of the Hyderabad crowd as vice-captain of the Indian team. It will be a special moment for me," he said.
(PTI inputs)
