India’s rising star Tilak Varma revealed head coach Gautam Gambhir told him to play according to the match situation ahead of the second T20I, which the hosts won by two wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

India was struggling at 78-5 after 9.1 overs while chasing 166 however Varma scored a match-winning knock of 72 runs off just 55 balls to help the hosts get over the line. The youngster showed great maturity in taking the game deep despite regular wickets at the other end.

Varma was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning knock as he batted at the top of his game.

He said in the post-match presentation, “Wicket was slightly two-paced. I was talking with Gautam sir yesterday, he said that, ‘whatever happens, you should play according to the situation, you should be flexible.’ Left-right will be a good option to bat out there, and it’ll be slightly difficult for the bowlers as they should change their lines and lengths.”

Revealing his game plan against short–pitch bowling, the left-hander said, We already played in South Africa, it was actually more difficult than this. We prepared but Archer and Wood are really quick. Everyone prepared well, we worked really hard in the nets and that gave us the results.”

Ravi Bishnoi also played a handy knock of nine runs off five balls towards the fag end and Varma revealed the conversation he had with the former.

Varma concluded, “I told Bishnoi to hold the shape and look to hit in the gap. One flick against the fast bowler and one four against Livingstone, it was extraordinary. That made it easier to finish the game.”

The third T20I between India and England will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday.