Former Indian opener Sadagopan Ramesh showered praise on Tilak Varma after India secured a five-wicket win in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan at Dubai on Sunday. Chasing a below-par score of 147 runs, India found themselves under the cosh at 20-3.
However, Tilak was able to steady the ship as he scored an unbeaten knock of 69 runs off just 53 balls. The left-hander scored three fours and four sixes in his match-winning knock and was awarded Player of the Match.
Sadagopan Ramesh said on his YouTube Channel, “Tilak Varma played one of the best T20 knocks in a chase. His partnership with Sanju Samson gave life to India’s run-chase. He then added another crucial stand with Shivam Dube. Tilak Varma was the constant and he handled pressure brilliantly. He paced his innings to perfection and played according to the situation throughout. The best thing about his innings was the fact that he finished the game by staying till the end. King Kohli has done this numerous times in a run-chase.”
The former flamboyant southpaw batter compared Tilak Varma with legendary Virat Kohli for finishing a high-pressure game.
“We hail Virat Kohli not only for his 50s and 100s but also how he would stay unbeaten till the end and be part of the winning moment. That last man standing quality Virat Kohli used to exhibit, Tilak Varma did that today.”
On the other hand, Ramesh noted that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was the most disappointing. SKY scored 72 runs in six innings of the tournament at an average of 18 and a strike rate of 101.40.
“Suryakumar Yadav was the most disappointing in the entire lineup. He’s an extraordinary batter and someone with the ability to win matches single handedly. He has led brilliantly and made the perfect bowling changes. He has even sacrificed his position for others. Yet, it is sad that he hasn’t been able to create an impact with the bat,” said Ramesh.
Ramesh added that India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill’s performances were also disappointing. Gill scored 127 runs in seven matches at an average of 21.16 and a strike rate of 151.19.
“Shubman Gill was also disappointing. But there is a big difference between his failures and Suryakumar Yadav’s. Gill is still to prove he can produce game changing knocks in T20Is. They’ve just trusted him on potential and made him vice-captain. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav has already proven himself and was world No. 1 in T20Is,” he stated.
Gill will next lead India in a two-match Test series against the West Indies.
