When Tilak Varma comes back, Ishan Kishan sits out for me: Ajinkya Rahane

Former Indian middle-order batter Ajinkya Rahane has made it clear to the Indian team management that once Tilak Varma comes back to the playing XI, Ishan Kishan needs to be benched.

Notably, Tilak has been ruled out of the first three T20Is against New Zealand after undergoing surgery for testicular torsion. However, the top-order batter is expected to be included in the squad for the last two T20Is against the BlackCaps.

Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Rahane asserted that he would love to back Sanju Samson, who faced three consecutive flops in the ongoing five-match T20I series, scoring only 16 runs. On the other hand, Kishan went on to score 112 runs from three games.

“When Tilak Varma comes back, Ishan Kishan sits out for me. Sanju Samson, I'll back him even if he doesn't get any runs in the next two T20Is. I am sure the management and the captain are going to back Sanju Samson. He's a quality player. He just needs to believe in himself. He has the game and the ability. At times in this format, you are going to look ugly, but that's okay. It's always about your belief and going out there, playing with freedom, and backing yourself," Rahane told Cricbuzz.

"Let's not compare him with Abhishek Sharma, who's at the other end. Sanju Samson has a different ability. He should go out there and think about his old innings and those he has played for the Rajasthan Royals. Just going out there and expressing himself will get him back in form. Probably a 15-ball 25 or a 20-ball 35 is also okay. But spending that little bit of time and taking the first overs out before taking the game on from there will be ideal for him," he added.

India will next lock horns with New Zealand in the fourth T20I on Wednesday, January 28, in Visakhapatnam.

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