Tilak Varma reveals why he gave Jofra Archer 'belt treatment' in IND vs ENG 2nd T20I

The young India National Cricket Team batsman Tilak Varma has revealed why he targetted the England National Cricket Team premier pacer Jofra Archer in the second T20I of the five-match series.

Tilak Varma launched a brutal attack on Jofra Archer at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai, to leave the pacer and the English team frustrated.

Also Read: World record alert: Tilak Varma achieves unbelievable feat in T20I cricket with sensational knocks

Tilak Varma smashed 30 runs off 9 balls against Jofra Archer

Jofra Archer had a nightmarish outing in the second T20I against the Men In Blue as he bowled his most expensive spell in the history of T20 cricket.

In his 4 overs, Jofra Archer conceded 60 runs and managed to pick just one wicket of Sanju Samson. He was targeted by the Indian batters, especially Tilak Varma, who launched a brutal attack.

Archer and Varma came face-to-face on 9 deliveries in the match and the Indian batter played some sensational strokes to register 30 runs.

Against Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone, Varma was quiet as he scored 18 runs off 22 balls. Also, he scored 5 runs off 8 balls against Mark Wood, 12 runs off 4 balls against Jamie Overton, and 14 runs off 12 balls against Brydon Carse.

I wanted to target their best bowler - Tilak Varma

After the match, Tilak Varma was rightfully asked the reason behind targeting Archer in the match. Responding to this, the youngster said that he decided to take on the best English bowler, Archer, to put pressure on the other bowlers.

"I wanted to target their best bowler. If you take on the best bowler, other bowlers will be under pressure. So, when the wickets are falling (at the other end), I want to take on their best bowlers," Varma said in the post-match press conference.

"If I do that it makes it easier (for other batters). So, I backed myself and took chances against him and also whatever shots that I have played against Archer, I have worked in the nets, mentally I was ready for them. So it has given me a good result," he added.

Tilak Varma reveals chats with Gautam Gambhir

Varma further revealed that he had made up his mind to stay in the middle till the end and finish off the match and he also revealed his chats with the head coach, Gautam Gambhir.

"I said (to myself) that whatever happens, I will be staying till the end, and I wanted to finish the game. I had a chat with Gautam (Gambhir) sir during the last match. I can play with a strike rate of 6 or 7, or above 10, as per the team's requirement. You should be flexible.

"Gautam sir also said during the drinks break (here). It is a time that you can show the people that you can play both type of innings. Happy that it paid off," he said.

Tilak Varma, who played a match-winning knock of 72 runs, further revealed that the surface in Chennai was quite challenging. He elaborated:

"The wicket was double-paced and quite challenging. With the kind of pace (England bowlers were bowling), it will be tough to hit the square of the wicket.

"So, I just wanted to use the pace and hit as much as I can behind (in the V behind the wicketkeeper). So, that's what I have done and it has given me success."