Aakash Chopra open on Tilak Varma's 49* controversy
Pandya was subjected to immense criticism as he was reminded of MS Dhoni's previous gesture towards Virat Kohli.
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Hardik Pandya has received considerable criticism for denying Tilak Varma a well-deserved fifty in the third T20 international against West Indies in Guyana. Notably, the 20-year-old was batting on 49* when the all-rounder struck a six to end the game in grand fashion. Subsequently, Pandya was subjected to immense criticism as he was reminded of MS Dhoni's previous gesture towards Virat Kohli.
Speaking on the matter, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra defended Pandya by stating that T20 cricket is not a format where milestones are sought after, and as such, it should not be considered. He went on to say that even though MS Dhoni is Hardik's mentor, it is not necessary for him to always follow in his footsteps.
"It's an intriguing question. Hardik Pandya has been taunted and criticised frequently. Another school of thought, however, asks why milestones in T20 cricket are being discussed. Therefore, that was in the midst of the discussion," Chopra stated on his YouTube channel.
"I recall MS Dhoni once playing a forward defensive shot because Virat Kohli was at the other end. He desired him to complete it because he did not wish to be in the spotlight. But Hardik does not need to be Dhoni, even if he views him as an icon," he added.
Aakash Chopra praises Tilak Varma's outstanding beginning to his international career
To say the least, Tilak Varma has been phenomenal in the ongoing T20I series against West Indies. The Hyderabad-born cricketer has scored 139 runs in three T20I matches thus far, making him the highest run-scorer in the series. He also became the first Indian cricketer to record three scores of 30 or more in his first three national team appearances, so Chopra is extremely impressed by the player.
"Tilak Varma is remarkable. He is the first Indian to achieve 30+ in his first three international innings. In his previous games, he had scored fifty runs, and he nearly did so again this time; it should have been a fifty. "His temperament is good, his range is good, and he was initially aggressive but then content to play second fiddle to Suryakumar," Chopra said.
