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Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra has come up with a solution as the teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is struggling to find game time. Actually, India’s in-form batters have made things difficult for the 15-year-old to return to the playing XI.
With Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan doing well, finding a place for the young opener has become a big headache for the Indian team management. Well, Chopra believes that Sooryavanshi should get opportunities, but not at the cost of Tilak Varma. Earlier, Rinku Singh made a strong case for India comeback with back-to-back Ranji Trophy centuries.
Aakash Chopra names Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s only options in India XI
Aakash Chopra believes that Vaibhav Sooryavanshi can only come into India’s playing XI in place of Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, or Ishan Kishan. The cricket pandit does not agree with the suggestion of dropping Tilak Varma to make room for the teenage batting sensation.
Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel: “Vaibhav Sooryavanshi isn't getting chances because a place isn't being created for him. In whose place should you play him? To be fair, he can play only in place of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, or Ishan Kishan.”
It will be interesting to see how the Indian think tank will find a place for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the playing XI in the upcoming five-match T20I series in New Zealand, starting on October 22.
Aakash Chopra reveals how India can accommodate Vaibhav Sooryavanshi amid top-order traffic jam
With all three top-order batters performing well, Chopra feels Sooryavanshi cannot be brought into the playing XI without making a change. The former Indian batter feels the team management can rotate the four players and give each of them a chance.
The commentator admitted that waiting on the bench can be disappointing for Sooryavanshi but believes rotation is the best way to manage the situation. Notably, Vaibhav didn’t get a single game in the recent five-match T20I series against the West Indies at home.
Chopra added, “When three people are doing well, you can't get a chance suddenly. I know it is heartbreaking, but there is no other way. No one is agreeing with the method I am suggesting. You can do a rotation. Give chances to all four of them in rotation.”
Shooting arrows at Tilak Varma is not right: Aakash Chopra hits back at critics
Aakash Chopra also defended Tilak Varma, as he admitted that the middle-order batter did not have the best start, but his performances improved after he began playing as a finisher. Amid this, Mohammad Kaif slams treatment of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, compares him with Jasprit Bumrah.
Chopra pointed to Tilak’s performances in the Asian Games and his recent contributions in the middle and lower-middle order. The former Indian batter feels Tilak has done his job well and should not be targeted just because Sooryavanshi is waiting for an opportunity.
He signed off by saying, “The World Cup didn't start well, but after that, ever since he became a finisher, he has done a good job, whether you see the performances in the Asian Games or not. The fact is that he has been doing really well in the middle order and the lower-middle order. So, I feel shooting arrows at Tilak Varma is not right.”
