Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes it is time for vice-captain Tilak Varma to pull up his socks, saying no player is safe under Gautam Gambhirโs team. Kaifโs remark came after Tilak scored 21 (19 balls) in the first T20I against Ireland in Belfast, which India lost by 34 runs on Friday. Kaif admitted that while Tilak may be the vice-captain, the management will not hesitate to drop him from the playing squad, adding that no player has a guaranteed place under the current regime.
โTilak Varma is the vice-captain, but that does not guarantee a place in the playing XI. In the past, vice-captains have been excluded. If he thinks that his place in the team is secure just because he fills this role, then he is very mistaken. a player in this Indian team who cannot be discarded, even the captain,โ Kaif said in the viral video.
Kaif also noted that Gambhir has made some bold decisions since becoming head coach, hinting at the recent exit of veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin from Test cricket.
โEveryone must dig a well to drink water; everyone has to perform in every match. We are going through an unprecedented phase in Indian cricket from which even the biggest names are not immune. This has never happened before. Management has shown that they are not afraid to accept large orders,โ he added.
Meanwhile, India suffered a heavy defeat against Ireland while chasing 183 and were bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs.
Captain Lorcan Tuckerโs half-century paved the way for the Irish to post an impressive 182/9 in 20 overs.
Abhishek Sharma handled the Indian challenge with 50 runs in just 20 balls, but the star line-up was no match for the inspiring bowling from Ireland.
Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys and Matt Hollard took three wickets and it was a memorable outing for debutant Jai Mundra, who finished with 2/25 from four overs.
Both the teams will face each other again in the second and final T20I on Sunday.
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