Tilak Varma has not grabbed his chances fully: Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra is not happy with Tilak Varma’s performance in the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali. Batting at number three, the 21-year-old scored 26 off 22 and Chopra was disappointed with the batter throwing away after getting a start.

Notably, in the absence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill opened alongside Rohit Sharma but neither of the two could deliver. The responsibility fell on Tilak and Shivam Dube but Tilak got out despite getting the start. Dube, however, kept going and smashed an unbeaten 60 off 40 to help India win by six wickets.

Meanwhile, as per Chopra, Tilak has failed to grab his chance and can be dropped when Virat Kohli makes his long-awaited return to the T20I squad. He believes that Dube and Rinku Singh will be given a longer  run, which would force Tilak to sit out.

“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 has not grabbed his chance fully,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“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. Do not know about Shubman Gill but I feel Tilak Varma might be dropped for the next match,” the 46-year-old said.

Jitesh Sharma needs to be mindful that he finish matches: Aakash Chopra

Chopra reminded that Jitesh Sharma’s role is not yet cemented in India’s T20I set-up. He added that players like Sanju Samson and KL Rahul are waiting in the wings and can replace him easily if he fails to finish games. Notably, the 30-year-old made 31 runs off 20 deliveries, before getting out to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Chopra believes that if the stumper-batter finishes games, he will be a guaranteed starter.

“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 would not 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,” Chopra said.