Former India batter Abhishek Nayar has said that India batter Tilak Varma must have been disappointed but his dismissal was unlucky. India beat Ireland by two runs (DLS) to go 1-0 up in the three-match T20I series.
Speaking to Jio Cinema, Nayar said India should not have tinkered with the batting line-up, insisting that they should just let Varma bat at number four. Tilak was dismissed for a golden duck by Craig Young in the first T20I in Dublin.
“I am surprised with a lot of the decisions that are made. You have seen Tilak Varma do well at No. 4 and Sanju Samson is someone who has batted at No. 3. It shouldn’t matter whether he is right-handed or left-handed. Let him bat at four. He is doing well. Don’t tinker with the batting order,” said Nayar.
He went on to say that Tilak would be disappointed but his dismissal was unlucky. Tilak edged a Young delivery to wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker on the first ball that he faced.
“They tell you no matter how good a cricketer you are, you want the rub of the green. Here Tilak Varma would be disappointed for sure but he couldn’t have done much. As we say, this was an unlucky dismissal,” Nayar added.
India restricted Ireland to a total of 139 for 7 in the first innings. Barry McCarthy scored a brilliant half-century, while Curtis Campher chipped in with a 33-ball 39. Ravi Bishnoi and Jasprit Bumrah were the most impressive bowlers for India, claiming two wickets each.
In the second innings, Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 24 runs off 23 balls, while Ruturaj Gaikwad remained unbeaten on 19 runs off 16 deliveries as India ended with 47 for 2 on the board, winning the match by two runs through the DLS method.