But Axar struggled to get rhythm and fell for a run-a-ball 21, as India fell short by 51 runs. Amidst the likes of Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav not getting big runs, Tilak gave India something to cheer by making a 34-ball 62.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cEveryone is flexible except openers. Everyone is flexible and open to bat anywhere. I am up for batting at 3, 4, 5, 6, or anywhere. Where the team prefers for me to bat, I am up for it. Everyone knows that they are flexible in every batting order. If you are mentally strong, you can do well in any number,\u201d said Tilak in the pre-match press conference.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Asked about the Indian team\u2019s decision to send Axar at three ahead of recognised batters, including himself, Tilak said, \u201cIt depends. As you can see, Axar Patel has already done the same thing in the World Cup, and he has done well in that position as well. It keeps happening in one odd game. It depends on the situation. In a tactical situation, if the team feels that it is the best in that situation, then anyone goes ahead, keeping in mind the team\u2019s interests.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cUps and downs happen, but the same player has done that in the World Cup as well. I am ready to bat anywhere for the team, and I will always try to do my best for the team. The other players are doing the same, and as I said, everything is flexible, and we are making the decisions that we feel will benefit the team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The HPCA Stadium has shown a trend of producing high-scoring pitches, and Tilak felt batting first or chasing won\u2019t matter much at the venue. \u201cI have played previously here in the Under-19 series for India. After that, I am coming here now, and we are just going to watch the wicket. I think there will be a high-scoring wicket here. We will play with a positive intent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn the first two matches, the one who bats first has won. Because the weather is cold everywhere, there is a little bit of seam and swing for the bowlers. So I think there is not much difference in batting first and second. Unfortunately, we collapsed in the last game, but we will play with the same intent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhatever we have been doing in the last 15-20 matches, we will play with the same intent and get good results. So, I would say, it won't matter much if it's the first or second batting because the match starts at 7 pm and that is the time when dew starts to form,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn the first two matches, the one who bats first has won. Because the weather is cold everywhere, there is a little bit of seam and swing for the bowlers. So I think there is not much difference in batting first and second. Unfortunately, we collapsed in the last game, but we will play with the same intent.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere was a due in ODIs as well, and we have mentally prepared for it in practice. We don't have the toss result in our hands, but we are mentally preparing for the dew. We have practised before, and the ball does get a little wet. But we have prepared for whatever we can get in the game during the practice.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n