‘If his bowling numbers don’t improve, why would you carry him?’ – Aakash Chopra on Tilak Varma potentially replacing Washington Sundar in ODIs

Aakash Chopra said that if India do not want to use Washington Sundar’s bowling abilities, it is better to have Tilak Varma in the ODI setup in his place.

Sundar played the first two ODIs in the ongoing series against England. In the first ODI, he bowled just four overs, and in the second, he wasn’t used with the ball. Tilak, who is India’s vice-captain in T20Is, wasn’t picked in the ODI squad.

“If Washi’s bowling numbers don’t improve, why would you carry him? If he is not bowling, he is not an all-rounder. If he has to only bat, Tilak Varma can also do that, or someone else can do that. Plenty of things might actually happen, but it’s not a bad suggestion,” he responded when asked on his YouTube channel if Tilak could replace Sundar in the Indian ODI setup.

However, Chopra wondered whether Tilak’s place in T20I cricket is a certainty as his numbers against spin have deteriorated alarmingly and there have been suggestions of Rajat Patidar replacing him.

“I am very curious because when Tilak is playing, it’s asked why he is being played and why he has been made the vice-captain, as his numbers against spin have become bad, and that he should be dropped and Rajat Patidar should be brought in his place,” he observed.

“Tilak will also bowl as many overs” – Aakash Chopra on Washington Sundar’s utilization in ODIs

The former India opener said that if Sundar is being picked to bowl only a few overs, Tilak can do the same thing and bat better than the Tamil Nadu all-rounder.

“Tilak’s name isn’t there in ODI cricket. Washi’s name is there, and he gets a lot of chances to play. He is mostly expected to bat, or else he delivers as a batter, not as much as a bowler. It’s a valid question because if you are searching for a batter who can bowl a few overs, Tilak will also bowl as many overs, and Tilak will bat better than Washi,” he said.

Chopra said that after Tilak’s appointment as India’s T20I vice-captain, the Indian selectors could show a bit more faith in him and draft him into the ODI setup. The cricketer-turned-expert opined that a lot of changes will be seen in India’s ODI side over the next few months.

“So, if he is your T20I vice-captain, why not invest a little more faith in Tilak’s abilities, that you make him a part of ODIs as well? I think that can also happen. I feel we will see a lot of changes until 2027, and players coming and going,” Chopra observed.