“Playing In The World Cup…” Tilak Varma Credits International Experience For His ‘Finisher Role’ Evolution Post PBKS vs MI Clash

Tilak Varma produced a calm yet forceful innings to guide the Mumbai Indians to a six-wicket win over the Punjab Kings in their IPL 2026 clash at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The chase was completed with ease despite the heavy scoreboard pressure and the Mumbai Indians already being out of playoff contention.

After the match, Tilak, who collected the Player of the Match award for the second time in IPL 2026, spoke about enjoying a more defined finishing role for the Mumbai Indian. The left-hander also shared his experience from the recent outing with India in the T20 World Cup 2026 to manage tense moments and shape his approach at the death.

'Playing In The World Cup': Tilak Varma Credits International Exposure For Finishing Skills

Asked whether Tilak Varma is growing into a finisher for the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026, Tilak replied that international exposure has been crucial. "I always say that I love finishing games, but playing in the World Cup and playing quite a few international games for the country helps me (understand) how to finish games, and you get that experience and confidence. So with that, I think I keep improving my game," Tilak said after the match.

The chase itself was far from simple. Punjab Kings had earlier reached a challenging 200/8, with the total boosted late in the innings by Azmatullah Omarzai and Vishnu Vinod. Mumbai Indians then replied with control and aggression, as Tilak stayed unbeaten on 75 and ensured the target was reached with authority, handing Punjab Kings a fifth defeat in succession.

Tilak Varma Opens Up On Unexpected Pitch Conditions

Tilak explained that the Mumbai Indians misread the surface early in IPL 2026’s Dharamsala contest against the Punjab Kings, expecting more bounce. "(Did you make adjustments based on the pitch?) To be honest, we weren't expecting the wicket to be like this because the ball was (coming on) slightly slow and low, so it was not easy to hit strokes. We saw in the first half how Punjab struggled in the first 15 overs. After that, Azmatullah (Omarzai) and Vishnu (Vinod), the way they played, got them to a good total. But we were thinking that we would take the game as deep as possible. And I believed in myself that I could do it (finish the game). So I was just holding my shape and backing my basics. I believed in myself that I'd finish the game," he said.

At one stage, the Mumbai Indians needed 72 runs from the last five overs against the Punjab Kings in this IPL 2026 fixture, yet Tilak had already targeted the pacers and then turned his attention to the spinners, seizing control of the run chase with clean hitting under pressure.

The turning point of the game, however, arrived in the 16th over when Yuzvendra Chahal came on to bowl for the Punjab Kings. Tilak Varma seized the moment, smashing a 106m six over long-on before adding another boundary and a second six, taking 20 runs off the over and decisively swinging the game towards the Mumbai Indians.

Tilak later revealed that he had been waiting for exactly such an opportunity during the chase.
"(Was it a plan to attack Yuzi?) To be honest, when we had the second strategy timeout, I was talking to the coach that just one big over and we would finish off the game. Just keep believing in me, I'll do it for the team. So that's what I said, and I was just waiting for that one big over. Unfortunately, it came off Yuzi bhai's (last) over (smiles). But yeah, I'm glad that I finished the game," Tilak said.

The finishing touches came in the final over, with Mumbai needing 15 runs. Tilak held his nerve and sealed the chase in style, launching two towering sixes to underline both his composure and growing stature in the middle order.

'Helped Finish The Game...' Tilak Varma Praises Will Jacks' Support In Chase

Tilak also credited Will Jacks for easing the pressure in the closing stages. "(Conversation with Will Jacks?) To be honest, Will's innings really helped finish the game. The way he played, I just said to him: Hold your shape and wait for the slower ones because the ball is flying here. If they bowl quick ones and you blindly swing, if it just hits the bat, it's going. So wait for that slower one - that's the only ball we were actually slightly struggling to hit the sixes. So he held his shape well, got a few sixes, and they were under pressure," he added.

Despite the win, the Mumbai Indians remain outside the IPL 2026 playoff spots. Tilak's rich vein of form-featuring a recent century against the Gujarat Titans and back-to-back fifties, has been a major positive. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings slumped to a fifth consecutive defeat, further denting their playoff hopes. Mumbai will next face the Kolkata Knight Riders on May 20.