Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar launched a scathing attack on young batter Tilak Varma following India’s humiliating 76-run defeat against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The defending champions, chasing a target of 188, were bundled out for a paltry 111 in 18.5 overs, suffering their heaviest defeat in T20 World Cup history.
“Disappointed with his approach”: Sunil Gavaskar questions Tilak Varma’s shot selection
Speaking on Star Sports after the match, Gavaskar did not mince words while criticising Tilak Varma’s reckless dismissal. Coming in at No. 3 after Ishan Kishan fell for a duck in the very first over, Tilak attempted an ill-advised charge at Marco Jansen, made room, and tried to slap the ball over mid-off, only to edge behind to Quinton de Kock for just 1 run.
“Yes, I think he’s been a very street-smart batter. I was a little disappointed with his approach today because, look, a wicket had already fallen. Yes, the required rate was 9.5 runs an over, but it wasn’t like you were chasing 15 runs an over,” Gavaskar said.
The former India captain emphasised that Tilak should have shown more responsibility, especially with an out-of-form Abhishek Sharma at the other end who had registered three consecutive ducks in the group stage.
“So you could have given yourself a little more time, particularly because at the other end, Abhishek Sharma hadn’t got runs. Therefore, the responsibility was yours to try and stick around with Abhishek and build a partnership, get past those six overs. With a wicket gone, you don’t have to get to 70. Even 55 would have been a good sort of platform,” he added.
The left-hander’s dismissal continued what has been a disappointing campaign for him personally. Across five matches in T20 World Cup 2026, Tilak has managed only 107 runs at an average of 21.40 and a strike rate of 118.88 – well below his usual standards.
Before Sunday’s game, Tilak had amassed 496 runs in 10 T20Is against the Proteas at an astonishing average of 70.85 and a strike rate of 163.15, including two centuries and two fifties. Those numbers suggested a favourable match-up, but Sunday’s outing did not reflect that dominance.
India’s top-order collapse was complete within the powerplay itself. After Kishan’s first-ball duck and Tilak’s dismissal for 1, Abhishek Sharma managed 15 off 12 balls before falling to Jansen’s knuckle ball. At 31 for 3 inside the powerplay, India’s chase was effectively dead.
“They came out with overconfidence”: Gavaskar on India’s batting approach against South Africa
Beyond Tilak’s dismissal, Gavaskar slammed the entire Indian batting unit for failing to learn from how South Africa rebuilt their innings after being reduced to 20 for 3 inside four overs. David Miller (63 off 35) and Dewald Brevis (45 off 29) added 97 runs for the fourth wicket, playing intelligently on a tricky surface where the ball was not coming onto the bat quickly.
“When you look at how Dewald Brevis and David Miller repaired the South African innings, they played shots more in the V. When the bouncers were bowled, they countered them intelligently because they realised that the ball was not coming onto the bat quickly. Having seen how Brevis and Miller built their partnership, that was the approach needed from the Indian batters,” Gavaskar observed.
“But India did not take notes from South Africa’s innings. They came out and threw their bat at every delivery, hoping for a boundary. That is not how you play T20 cricket. You have to learn from the opposition. If they have scored well on a tricky surface like this, you have to get rid of your ego, observe and adjust. The Indian batters did not do that. They came out with overconfidence, threw their bat at everything and lost wickets. South Africa clearly outsmarted India, and it was a well-deserved win for them,” he added.
Gavaskar’s advice for struggling Abhishek Sharma
Gavaskar also analysed Abhishek’s ongoing struggles, revealing how South Africa cleverly exploited his preference for creating room on the off-side.
“He was a little trapped, and South Africa bowled very cleverly. They know he likes to create room and play through the off-side. Look at Rabada – he kept targeting the pads, even after being hit for a six, he didn’t change his line,” Gavaskar observed.
The 76-year-old advised Abhishek to focus on rotating strike rather than forcing big shots. “He shouldn’t force himself to play big shots across the line. Take a single and get off the mark. Even four dot balls don’t matter,” he advised.
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