Rinku Singh could have been a better choice than Tilak Varma for middle-lower order – Aakash Chopra on India’s T20I squad

Former Indian opener feels Rinku Singh could have been a better choice than Tilak Varma for India’s T20I squad for the series against West Indies. Varma earned his maiden T20I call-up to the T20I squad after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel announced the team on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, both Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh have impressed in the last two seasons of the IPL. Varma amassed 343 runs at an average of close to 43, and struck his runs at 164.11 in IPL 2023.

On the other hand, Singh had a terrific run in IPL 2023, scoring 474 runs in 14 matches at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.53. The southpaw scored a total of four fifties and did a fine job for KKR.

Chopra reckons if Tilak Varma bats in the top three, then his selection makes sense otherwise Rinku Singh would have been more apt for the finisher role.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “In the middle order – Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya. I don’t think the team is thinking of playing Tilak Varma at No. 3. If they were searching for a player to bat after Hardik Pandya, then Rinku Singh could have been a better choice unless Tilak Varma will play at No. 3.”

“You might want to play Tilak Varma down the order because whether it is Ishan Kishan or Sanju Samson, the two wicketkeepers you have picked, their best place for batting is in the top three.”

Chopra feels India will have to send Tilak Varma in the lower order as you don’t want to demote Suryakumar Yadav below number four.

“If you keep them in the top three, Tilak Varma will have to go down. If he goes down, you don’t want to send Suryakumar Yadav lower than No. 4, ideally at three and latest at four.”

The renowned commentator recalled that Varma did a good job for Mumbai Indians while batting in the top order in IPL 2022. The left-hander scored 397 runs in 14 matches of the 15th edition.

“Then Hardik Pandya at No. 5. So Tilak Varma at No. 6. Is that the right choice? This will be one question because in the last IPL he played as well, he batted at the top of the order at the start, he played very well, in fact I remember the 70-run knock against Bangalore.”

The first T20I between India and the West Indies will be played on 3rd August.