Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Tilak Varma might have to make way for Virat Kohli in the second T20I against Afghanistan. Kohli missed the opening game of the series due to personal reasons but he is all set to return to the second T20I of the series.
Meanwhile, Varma scored 26 runs off 22 balls in the opening game of the series. On the other hand, Shubman Gill could only score 23 runs while opening the innings.
In fact, Yashasvi Jaiswal was expected to open the innings with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma but he was ruled out with a sore right groin.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “After Rohit (Sharma) and Shubman (Gill) got out, Tilak Varma was there and Shivam Dube was sent up the order. Tilak Varma played well for some time but then also got out off (Azmatullah) Omarzai’s bowling. Tilak Varma hasn’t grabbed his chance fully.”
The former India opener added: “Will Tilak Varma play the next match? I feel he might get dropped because if both Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal become available, who will go out? No one can leave Shivam Dube out nor will anyone touch Rinku Singh. Don’t know about Shubman Gill but I feel Tilak Varma might be dropped for the next match.”
On the other hand, Jitesh Sharma scored a fine knock of 31 runs off just 20 balls. The reputed commentator added that Jitesh will be mindful that he needs to finish off the games to cement his place in the team.
“Jitesh played a good knock. Let me put my hand up and say that Jitesh played well but he will have to be mindful that he needs to finish matches because he could have done that. He is batting so beautifully.”
“If he converts his 31 runs to 45-50 and finishes the match, there won’t be any doubt, because his place is not yet cemented. It is going to take some time because, for that slot, Sanju Samson is there for sure, don’t rule out KL Rahul as you might see him bat down the order in the IPL, and Rishabh Pant’s name can come if he gets fit.”
The second T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on Sunday.
