Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has lavished praise on Tilak Varma after India secured a four-wicket win against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, on Saturday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Chopra said Varma is not someone like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, who are known to muscle the ball, whereas the Indian vice-captain relies on timing to score his runs.
India was under the cosh at 70-5 after 10.5 overs, and the target of 181 runs looked out of reach at that stage. However, Tilak added 42 runs off 24 balls with Naman Dhir, with the latter doing the bulk of the scoring. Subsequently, he added 69 runs off just 30 balls with Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a cameo of 13-ball 26.
Varma scored a match-winning knock of 51 runs off just 26 balls, including six fours and a six. Thus, he was awarded Player of the Match for his fine performance.
“When Tilak batted at three, he had scored two hundreds, and it looked like his spot was fixed there. But then he lost his form, and he was sent down the order. A great decision from Surya, as they could have even dropped him. They did not. Now he bats at five. This is a difficult position. He has scored runs. It is a difficult role to play, but he stands there. He gives us hope. It looked like the game was gone, but he had that conviction. He is not Pollard or Russell, he has to find gaps and pockets. He is doing all of that. Now stop asking why he is playing,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Chopra backed Varma as a future leader and added it won’t be surprising if he leads an IPL team sooner rather than later.
“He is also your future leader. Don’t be surprised if he leads an IPL team soon. Maybe it might happen this year. There is a strong possibility,” he added.
The third T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday.
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