Veteran Indian batter Hanuma Vihari applauded Tilak Varma ahead of the third T20I against Zimbabwe. The match will take place in Harare on Sunday, July 26. Tilak Varma played a great knock in the second ODI as India registered a comfortable 90-run victory. He also smashed an unbeaten 60 off just 29 balls with five boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 206.9. Hanuma Vihari also opined on his ability to assess the situation and bat accordingly.

“Many people had doubts about Tilak’s strike rate, but he can play like this whenever he starts well. He is very smart and someone who plays according to the situation. He is the only player, maybe along with Shreyas, who will play according to the situation. Maybe Ishan is slowly doing that these days but everyone else only plays big shots. If they click, they will win the match, or they will get out quickly. This is the pattern of T20 cricket, and I have no problem, but this is why players like Tilak are important,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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In the second T20I, pace bowler Prince Yadav also claimed two wickets but bowled just 1.2 overs before leaving the field due to a hamstring injury. Hanuma Vihari also opined on his concern over the rising injuries to key players in the recent past as well.

“There are a lot of injury concerns. You see the number of injuries. Harshit, Nitish, Hardik, you name them. Varun also. A lot of injuries. I don’t know what the reason is. I think they will bring Ashok Sharma back in the next game, and Prabhsimran should come in because if you have taken him, he should get a chance, and you have won the series anyway. A good series win and much-needed for Shreyas Iyer; I know it is Zimbabwe, but still,” he concluded.