Former India opener Aakash Chopra slammed India’s decision to promote Tilak Varma to No. 3 ahead of Ishan Kishan in the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch as well. Chopra said that the move wasn’t needed as Kishan is currently the No. 1 ranked T20I batter in the world. However, India beat New Zealand by four wickets at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch
on Thursday, October 22, in the first T20I as well.

Questioning the logic behind this, Chopra told Cricinfo: “I don’t understand why they did it. Ishan Kishan is the No. 1 T20I batter in the world. Also, Tilak Varma has got used to a new role. But we made that one change and after that neither Tilak Varma performed nor Ishan Kishan.”

During the discussion, Chopra also agreed to an observation that termed the Sanju Samson-Abhishek Sharma pair as the most destructive one currently in the T20I format as well.

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“This story is not just about one or two matches or one year. Since they have been together, they have been really destructive. The story began against Bangladesh at home in those three matches, followed by four games in South Africa. From then till now, when they play together, they do exceptionally well,” he concluded.