iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Sanjay Manjrekar’s reported advice to Tilak Varma was about batting position, not showing that he was unhappy: he said he liked Varma at No. 5 or 6. The New Indian Express reported the comments ahead of the India–Pakistan men’s cricket gold-medal match at the 2026 Asian Games.
What did Manjrekar say about Tilak Varma?
In an interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said Varma could suit a middle-order role because he sometimes needs time to get started at the top. The New Indian Express quoted him saying: “To be honest, whenever I’ve seen Tilak bat at the top of the order, he needs a little time to get going — he’s not someone who starts striking immediately. I really like him down at No 5 and 6.”
Manjrekar also said it was unfair that Axar Patel and Shivam Dube were sent in ahead of Varma in India’s previous match. He nevertheless said he liked Varma batting where he could “feed[] off the pressure felt by the opposition bowling side near the end of the innings.” The New Indian Express report was updated October 2, 2026.
Recommended Free Tools
Why did Manjrekar favor No. 5 or 6?
His reasoning was a distinction between starting an innings and finishing one. In his view, Varma may take time to settle when batting near the top, while a later position could let him enter when the opposition is under pressure near the end of a T20 innings. This was Manjrekar’s assessment of Varma’s role, not a reported statistic or a claim that the lower order is the only position in which Varma can bat.
#1 Best Overall
How did Varma end up lower in the semifinal?
The New Indian Express said India brought Vaibhav Sooryavanshi into the lineup for its semifinal against Sri Lanka. That change moved several batters down the order; Varma, India’s designated vice-captain and a player generally viewed as a top-four batter, batted below Axar Patel. Manjrekar questioned sending Axar and Dube ahead of Varma in that game, while still endorsing a No. 5 or 6 role for Varma in T20 cricket.
Was the advice to “show that you are unhappy” verified?
No. The directly relevant New Indian Express report supports Manjrekar’s comments about Varma’s batting position and the semifinal order, but it does not contain the advice to “show that you are unhappy.” That phrase should not be treated as a verified quote from Manjrekar on the basis of this report.
Rank #2
A separate Indian Express article published February 19, 2026 covered former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan’s criticism of Varma’s strike rate after a T20 World Cup innings against the Netherlands. Pathan’s remarks concerned that innings and India’s batting order; they are separate from Manjrekar’s Asian Games comments and do not verify the disputed phrase. The Indian Express report quoted Pathan saying, “His strike rate should have been better because the pitch was better.”
When was the India–Pakistan final?
The match preview described the India–Pakistan fixture as the Asian Games men’s cricket gold-medal match scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026. Its Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV viewing information was specific to that event and date.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
