Tilak Varma struggled to get going as he was dismissed for 25 runs off 24 balls against Pakistan. It was a real struggle for him out in the middle and he was very cautious at the start. In the partnership
with Ishan Kishan he did not get much strike but it was evident later on that he struggled to accelerate. Tilak walked in when Abhishek was dismissed for a duck and started with a few boundaries and Ishan Kishan did the bulk of the scoring. Tilak could not rotate strike and was very defensive against the spinners. He particularly found it tough against Usman Tariq. Let us look at how twitter reacted.
Tilak Varma since 2025 - Inns - 21 Runs - 642 Balls - 500 Avg - 42.8 SR - 128.8 Too many net negative knocks, idk what's his role!?
— R (@ShortArmJab7) February 15, 2026
When Ishan Kishan was dismissed the score was 88/2 and from there India could only score 52 runs in the next 50 balls. It was a real struggle out there for Tilak Varma and fans noticed that his innings took away the momentum that was created early on. Tilak is usually a slow starter against spin and sometimes he can get struck in the crease.
Tilak Varma scored two boundaries early on but later he was kept quiet and then released the shackles with a six against Nawaz. But despite that he could not get going and he was eventually dismissed by Saim Ayub. He was dismissed leg before wicket and did not even review the decision. In the drinks break, Indian coach Gambhir was seen having a few words with Tilak probably asking him to up his scoring rate.
Why does no one raise questions against strike rate of tuk tuk tilak varma? Plays at 100 strike rate in every game but but this team will score 300 pic.twitter.com/5Y78qo8QYH
— 𝘿𝙖𝙠𝙨𝙝 (@screwgauge77) February 15, 2026
India posted a total of 175 on the back of a terrific half century from Ishan Kishan. They struggled a bit but the death overs were productive for India as they finished with just above par total on that surface. In reply, Pakistan lost their opener Farhan for a duck in the first over and then Jasprit Bumrah came in the second over and picked up two wickets to completely derail Pakistan in the chase.
