Less than a month to go ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starts entering India and Sri Lankapast comprehensive Irfan Pathan The Indian has picked the young star as the most important component of his batting line-up. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan emphasized that the star batsman’s ability to anchor the innings makes him the moral heir to the cause. Virat Kohlis role in the shortest format.
The comments come as the Men in Blue finalize their combinations for the marquee event, amid concerns over the form of older players and a race against time to regain full fitness.
Irfan Pathan picks Indian team glue for T20 World Cup 2026
Pathan did not mince words when describing the importance of the 23-year-old southpaw. A line-up full of aggressive batsmen, reckons Pathan Tilak Varma offers the necessary stability to prevent collapses, a role previously mastered by Kohli.
“In terms of batting, Tilak Varma is extremely critical and he is the glue of the team. Tilak batted at number 3 and 4. He absorbed the pressure and scored hundreds. That was the role Virat Kohli played.” Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Also READ: 3 players who can replace Tilak Varman if India misses T20 World Cup 2026
Echoes of the Asian Cup 2025 final
To back up his high praise, Pathan pointed to Tilak’s match-winning run in last year’s Asia Cup final. The Hyderabad-born player played a mature hand under extreme pressure against arch-rivals Pakistan and led India to a memorable title win.
“Tilak also played a great knock against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final and India could not have won without that innings. Tilak has increased his stock exponentially in that respect” Pathan added.
Also READ: Irfan Pathan explains why KL Rahul at No.6 makes sense for India in ODIs
