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India’s vice-captain Tilak Varma was dismissed cheaply after England produced another brilliant piece of fielding in the five-match T20I series opener in Durham on Wednesday (July 1). Amid this, Tilak Varma finally breaks silence on fading-light Super Over controversy in Sri Lanka.
After another flop show, Tilak has been mercilessly attacked by the Indian cricket fans on social media, as he was picked ahead of some in-form batters like Rajat Patidar. In his last 10 innings, he managed to hit only one fifty in the T20I format, and now fans called for his dropping.
England produce another fielding masterclass to dismiss Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma came to bat at number five in the first T20I against England and showed some intent, but England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood found a way to make the Indian vice-captain his bunny.
Saqib bowled a low full toss aimed at the stumps, and Tilak moved deep inside the crease and tried to play a smart scoop shot towards fine leg to collect an easy boundary.
But the shot did not come off properly. The ball took the inside part of the left-handed batter’s bat and went high in the air instead of clearing the fielder. Liam Dawson, who was fielding at short fine leg, reacted brilliantly at the right moment.
Dawson ran backwards, kept his eyes on the ball, and completed a superb catch well above his head despite losing his balance. With that excellent catch, England sent Tilak back to the pavilion after scoring 13 runs off 13 balls, as Saqib Mahmood got another scalp in Durham.
Saqib Mahmood becomes Tilak Varma's biggest nightmare
With this dismissal, Saqib Mahmood continued his complete domination over Tilak Varma in T20I cricket. The England fast bowler dismissed the left-hander for the second time in their two meetings.
Tilak has faced only three balls from Saqib in T20I cricket, managed to score just one run, and has been dismissed both times. On the other hand, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut inevitable as Sanju Samson's nightmare continues in 1st T20I vs ENG.
Tilak Varma's lean patch continues
Well, the left-hander has been struggling badly in recent games. After smashing two unbeaten match-winning knocks, the left-hander has failed to convert starts into big scores consistently. His inconsistency has put fresh pressure on his place in India's middle order.
His last 10 scores read: 13, 55, 19, 48, 21, 27, 44, 1, 31, and 25. Even during the IPL 2026, the Hyderabad star failed to deliver consistently for the Mumbai Indians. Following his latest failure in Durham, fans have been questioning how many opportunities Tilak will get.
However, India managed to post 189/7 on the board in their 20 overs thanks to quick fifties from the skipper Shreyas Iyer (68) and Abhishek Sharma (59). Shivam Dube also made a valuable contribution of 42 runs off 21 balls against England in the first T20I in Durham.
Fans mock Tilak Varma as his poor run continues
Tilak tuktuk Varma in Last 3 Innings :
— 𝓡𝓲𝔃𝔀𝓪𝓷 🇵🇰 (@Green_Caps56) July 1, 2026
19 (21) , 55(46) , 13(13)
How can you make him VC man. Look at his strike rate. This is how you play modern T20?
What has he done apart from the Asia Cup ? pic.twitter.com/gNfgz4oTnr
It is time for Tilak Varma to be dropped from the T20 squad. It is baffling how he has been appointed vice-captain. This fondness shown by the selectors will cost India dearly.
— Dr.Seema (@drseemat) July 1, 2026
What is the role of tilak varma?
— Siva Moni25 (@sivamonicvv25) July 1, 2026
He suitable for test he slow down the innings every time.... Please remove tilak add patidar, krunal pandya, Rinku Singh, rahul for middle order position
Tilak Varma :- Test me mauka nahi milta hai that's why I play test cricket in T20i#INDvsENG #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/25nYg8KBeh
— Ajeet Kumar (@ajeetkr03) July 1, 2026
What does Tilak Varma even do🤡 pic.twitter.com/4P7rEbFNzc
— kkr_russell🇦🇷 (@kkr_russell) July 1, 2026
They dropped Lord Rinku for this Fraud Tilak varma
— HASHIRAMA (आचार्य) (@Thesage_lord) July 1, 2026
This has been a regular issue with Tilak Varma. His scoring rate is really concerning. It was a partial reason why India lost to Ireland. He ate up entire deliveries to stat-pad his 50 & didn’t leave anything to achieve the target. Let’s also not forget Samson’s regular failures.
— The Saffron Soul 🇮🇳 (@gameslikeu) July 1, 2026
Tilak tuktuk Varma in Last 3 Innings :
— 𝓡𝓲𝔃𝔀𝓪𝓷 🇵🇰 (@Green_Caps56) July 1, 2026
19 (21) , 55(46) , 13(13)
How can you make him VC man. Look at his strike rate. This is how you play modern T20?
What has he done apart from the Asia Cup ? pic.twitter.com/gNfgz4oTnr
It's high time for BCCI to make two mandatory changes in the team.
— Srikar Rebel (@Chasemaster91) July 1, 2026
1. Suryavanshi in place of Sanju Samson
2. Rajat Patidar in place of Tilak Varma #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/x4rJHGfSxK
What is Tilak Varma doing in T20 ? Why is he still in the team - a slow coach to derail the innings😡
— चौ.पारस सिनसिनवार 🇮🇳 (@pendu_jattt_007) July 1, 2026
After all
तिलक को तिलक कर दफा करिए टीम इंडिया से
Win or lose is the 2nd thing
— Satya Prakash (@_SatyaPrakash08) July 1, 2026
Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson don't deserve to be in this team. pic.twitter.com/bKgbNhs7NY
Tilak Varma Should Be Dropped From The T20 Team pic.twitter.com/Px3A4FvPgf
— Koushik. (@KoushikKkrian) July 1, 2026
Tilak varma is the burden
— Laksh rathod (@19Laksh) July 1, 2026
Someday people will realise it soon
Tilak varma missed well deserved century of 87 runs in 87 balls 💔🥺. pic.twitter.com/3oXAeKfp4M
— Dot Ball Academy (@academy_dotball) July 1, 2026
Aur kitne chance milenge Tilak Varma ko.
— अंकुश (@ankushtweets) July 1, 2026
