Tilak Varma says his strike rate is dictated by team needs and match situations, whether he should attack from the start or anchor innings, especially as India faced early wickets in Ireland and England. He stresses his willingness to grind or to go hard as required by the team, highlighting the added responsibilities that come with vice-captaincy. The batter has faced criticism for a fluctuating scoring rate, which he attributes to evolving team roles from long-term No. 3 to finishing roles, driven by team combinations and match context. Ahead of the Zimbabwe series, Varma maintains he pays little heed to criticism and adapts his approach to the demand of each game, sometimes waiting and other times looking to strike from the first ball. India aim to rebound after back-to-back disappointments in Ireland and England and focus on reading conditions and following the management’s plans. He acknowledges past criticisms about reading spin in the UK tour but reiterates his sense of responsibility and the team’s strategic guidance shaping his approach.