India eye 5-0 sweep as Tilak Varma says clean sweep is goal

India T20I vice-captain Tilak Varma has said the team is targeting a 5-0 clean sweep in the ongoing series against New Zealand after taking an unbeatable 3-0 lead. Speaking ahead of the fourth T20I at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday, 30 October, Varma said: ‘We are thinking this is a great opportunity to achieve a clean sweep.’ He added that head coach Gautam Gambhir had stressed in team meetings that the standard set in the T20I leg would provide momentum for the rest of the long tour, which includes two Tests and five ODIs.

Varma acknowledged the challenge of adapting quickly after a home series against the West Indies, saying: ‘At this level, we cannot make excuses. We need to set standards for the youngsters.’ New Zealand are missing two frontline pacers due to fitness issues for the remaining matches. India have won all three T20Is so far via successful run chases.

Update, 29 October 2026: yespunjab.com adds Tilak Varma's own account of his unbeaten 51 off 22 balls in the Asian Games final in October 2026 and his unbeaten 69 in the Asia Cup 2025 final, both against Pakistan. Varma said his confidence after those knocks remains unchanged. The outlet also reports Varma's remark that pressure never disappears but he has learned to manage it.