Virat Kohli made his long-anticipated return to T20 internationals after 429 days during India’s second game against Afghanistan in Indore on Sunday. He opted out of the first T20I due to personal reasons but was straightaway included in the second T20I replacing Tilak Varma in the squad. Former India cricketer, Saba Karim feels that Tilak Varma’s exclusion was because of the depth of the Indian squad.
The last appearance of Virat Kohli in the shortest format was in the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 where India suffered a crushing 10-wicket defeat against England who went on to become champions. Apart from him, Yashasvi Jaiswal was also included in the playing XI as he missed the first game because of a sore right groin. He replaced Shubman Gill in the XI and scored 68 off just 34 balls to prove his worth.
Shubman Gill and Tilak Varma both were subtle with the bat in the series opener on Thursday at Mohali, scoring 23 of 12 and 26 of 22 balls respectively. However, Shubman Gill was involved in a clumsy moment which led to the run-out of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. He was ball-watching rather than responding to Rohit’s call while the latter was trying to take a single after hitting the ball in the mid-off region.
Former India cricketer Saba Karim feels that the batters did not lose their place in the Playing XI because of their moderate run with the bat but because of the depth of the squad. He mentioned that Tilak Varma would have been slightly disappointed to not have sealed his spot in the squad. “I know Tilak Varma has done very well, having said that he will be slightly disappointed that he has not yet sealed his place (in the squad)” Saba Karim said after Tilak’s omission while speaking to Jio Cinema.
It Is Difficult For Youngsters Like Tilak Varma To Seal Their Spot In The Squad
India thrashed Afghanistan in the second T20I by 6 wickets after chasing 173 in just 15.4 overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube were the stars for India in batting as they stitched a 92-run stand for the third wicket. Yashasvi hit a quickfire 68 off just 34 balls while Shivam Dube was unbeaten on 63 off 32 balls. Virat Kohli’s return in the shortest format saw him play a brisk innings scoring 29 off 16 balls.
Saba Karim reckons that the abundance of players available makes it difficult for youngsters like Tilak Varma to seal their spot in the squad. The experienced players always have an upper hand in terms of being part of the Playing XI. He feels that a player like Virat Kohli will be in the Playing XI for sure because of the experience and quality he brings to the side.
“None of the players who are sitting out are out because of bad performance… It’s just that India has so many quality players and if a player like Virat Kohli is making a comeback, he is going to be in the starting eleven for sure,” Saba Karim added.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube have announced themselves on the international stage in the shortest format and the selectors must be considering them while picking the squad for T20 World Cup 2024. The T20 World Cup will commence on June 1 but before that, all the players will get the stage of IPL to showcase their skills and present themselves as contenders for a spot in the World Cup squad.
The post IND vs AFG: Tilak Varma Disappointed With Virat Kohli’s Return In T20Is Claims Former Indian Chief Selector appeared first on CricketAddictor.
Virat Kohli made his long-anticipated return to T20 internationals after 429 days during India’s second game against Afghanistan in Indore on Sunday. He opted out of the first T20I due to personal reasons but was straightaway included in the second T20I replacing Tilak Varma in the squad. Former India cricketer, Saba Karim feels that Tilak
The post IND vs AFG: Tilak Varma Disappointed With Virat Kohli’s Return In T20Is Claims Former Indian Chief Selector appeared first on CricketAddictor.
