Srikkanth slams Tilak Varma, demands Rajat Patidar call-up: ‘Where is the consistency?’

Srikkanth did not hold back and renewed his criticism of Tilak while once again demanding that Patidar be given an opportunity in the national side.

Updated on: Jul 27, 2026, 18:02:51 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Krishnamachari Srikkanth has once again made a strong case for Rajat Patidar's inclusion in India's T20I setup while questioning Tilak Varma's place in the side. The former India opener has repeatedly criticised Tilak's approach during the ongoing Zimbabwe series, having also raised concerns over his performances earlier on the disappointing UK tour. At the same time, Srikkanth has consistently backed Patidar, arguing that the two-time IPL-winning captain deserves a national call-up after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to consecutive titles. Patidar, however, is still awaiting his T20I debut. Tilak's struggles continued in the third T20I against Zimbabwe, where he managed just 11 off 9 balls, once again drawing attention to his strike rate after India missed the chance to push past 200.

Tilak Varma struggled a bit against Zimbabwe in the third T20I. (AFP)

Despite the late slowdown, India's total of 193 proved more than enough as the visitors completed a 3-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe. The clean sweep also marked a welcome return to winning ways after India's disappointing UK tour, where they suffered T20I series defeats against both Ireland and England.

Srikkanth did not hold back after India's third T20I against Zimbabwe, renewing his criticism of Tilak while once again demanding that Patidar be given an opportunity in the national side. The former India opener questioned Tilak's consistency and argued that the RCB skipper has done enough to earn a long-awaited T20I call-up.

"Once again, Tilak ate nine balls. He can't play fast for too long. Where is the consistency? Tell me? What did he do in England? There will be one knock here and there. He is nothing compared to Rajat Patidar. If you want a real solid T20 knock, go to Patidar, give him a chance. Everyone is getting chances like Yash Thakur, give him a chance too," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.

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The 1983 World Cup-winning star was also critical of India's fielding in the third T20I against Zimbabwe, where they dropped multiple catches.

"They dropped so many catches, easy catches. All these top cricketers are dropping catches. How many catches were dropped? Did you look at the Indian fielding?" he added.

“Bilaterals must be scrapped and made into a tri-series”

Srikkanth was also not impressed with India playing Afghanistan and Zimbabwe in separate series, as he suggested it could have been a tri-series to build more interest.

"Now, instead of playing Afghanistan again in T20Is, they could have made it a tri-nation series between India, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan. Bilaterals must be scrapped and made into a tri-nation series; then the interest will also be there. I hope the ICC listens to us," he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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