Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has likened the pair of Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy with MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni-Yuvraj combined to win a lot of games for India, especially in the ODI format.
Meanwhile, Tilak Varma scored 51 runs off just 26 balls in the second T20I against New Zealand whereas Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with a fine cameo of 13-ball 26.
The left and right-hand batting pair added 69 runs off just 30 balls to take India over the line in the run chase of 181.
“No, India are doing really well at the moment. Take Tilak Varma, for instance. When Yuvi Pa (Yuvraj Singh), Dhoni bhai (MS Dhoni) and I used to bat at No. 5, 6, 7 and 8, we had a certain passion, and I feel Tilak has that same quality. He is a player with a different mindset and has done exceptionally well. He is contributing with the ball too,” Raina told ANI.
Raina noted that Reddy is playing with a positive mindset whereas he also expressed his delight to see Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in action.
“Nitish is also batting differently, and it is good to see that positive mindset. It was also nice to see Bhuvneshwar make a comeback as well,” Raina added.
The former CSK batter also showered praise on Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy and added he is building his own legacy.
“Shreyas Iyer has done well, but the way the captaincy is being handled, I think I have seen a captain with this kind of approach in this format after many years. He is building a different legacy, and my best wishes are with him,” Raina added.
The third T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday.
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