Tilak Varma, a struggling batter, was criticized by former Team India opener Kris Srikkanth for his poor performance in the third T20I against England in Nottingham on July 7. The southpaw struggled for ten balls with India needing 202 to win before being stumped off for 3 in 11 balls.
Additionally, Srikkanth was not pleased that Tilak batted at No. 6, behind all-rounder Axar Patel. With just one half-century in his previous five innings, Tilak has been dreadfully out of form since being named India's T20I vice-captain.
"He's already the vice-captain and it looks like he'll soon become the captain also. Tilak Varma might have himself said he doesn't want to go out, seeing the pace and bounce. Tilak Varma is clueless. I rather play Sanju Samson himself instead of Tilak Varma.
You make Tilak Varma your main batter and vice-captain. Yet, why are you shielding him against fast bowling? They are sending Axar Patel ahead of him. It's clear they are trying to shield Tilak Varma because they know he's vulnerable against short-pitched bowling. I've been consistently saying he should be dropped. But they don't drop him,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
In India's defeat in the third T20I against England, Kris Srikkanth also criticized the decision to bat Harshit Rana before Shivam Dube.
To the amazement of most Indian supporters, Harshit, a bowling all-rounder, entered the batting order ahead of Dube, a well-known big-hitter, when the team was reeling at 52/5.
"They also sent Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube. What antics are the thinktank doing? Shivam Dube of course we know is done once there is pace and bounce. It was almost like once he saw the pitch, he was happy to get out and escape. Dube can only do anything if a spinner bowls slowly in the slot on a flat track. Archer is laughing when bowling to him," said Srikkanth.
India is now 0-2 behind in the five-match series to England and the 4th T20I is scheduled on July 9 in Bristol.
