Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra said that Tilak Varma might be dropped for the second T20I between India and Afghanistan if Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal return to the playing XI. However, Afghanistan set India a 159-run target after being asked to bat first in the first T20I in Mohali, India reached the target with six wickets and 15 deliveries in hand.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “After Rohit (Sharma) and Shubman (Gill) got out, Tilak Varma was there and Shivam Dube was sent up the order. Tilak Varma played well for some time but then also got out off (Azmatullah) Omarzai’s bowling. Tilak Varma hasn’t grabbed his chance fully.”

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The former India opener added: “Will Tilak Varma play the next match? I feel he might get dropped because if both Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal become available, who will go out? No one can leave Shivam Dube out nor will anyone touch Rinku Singh. Don’t know about Shubman Gill but I feel Tilak Varma might be dropped for the next match.”

However, Virat Kohli missed the first T20I against Afghanistan for personal reasons and he is expected to be available for the second match in Indore on Sunday. Jaiswal, who was supposed to open with Rohit Sharma, was ruled out of the first match due to a sore right groin.

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“Jitesh played a good knock. Let me put my hand up and say that Jitesh played well but he will have to be mindful that he needs to finish matches because he could have done that. He is batting so beautifully,” Aakash Chopra concluded. “If he converts his 31 runs to 45-50 and finishes the match, there won’t be any doubt, because his place is not yet cemented. It is going to take some time because, for that slot, Sanju Samson is there for sure, don’t rule out KL Rahul as you might see him bat down the order in the IPL, and Rishabh Pant’s name can come if he gets fit.”