India, Feb. 27 -- India's tactical shuffle paid rich dividends in the Super 8 contest against Zimbabwe as Tilak Varma was asked to bat lower down the order. Having struggled to convert starts at No. 3 and with constant chatter around his strike rate growing louder, the move eased some of that burden. Slotted in at No. 6, the left-hander walked in with a clear brief and made an immediate impact. Tilak tore into the bowling with an unbeaten 44 off just 16 deliveries, shifting momentum decisively in India's favour. He peppered the boundary with three fours and four sixes, combining smart placement with clean hitting. Alongside Hardik Pandya, he applied the finishing touches to cap a dominant batting effort.

Backing India's tactical tweak, f...