Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth questioned Tilak Varma’s form after Mumbai Indians suffered an 18-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday. Varma was dismissed after scoring a solitary run against the defending champion after his top edge was taken by Jacob Duffy at short fine-leg on the bowling of Suyash Sharma.

The left-hander has scored 35 runs in four matches at an average of 8.75 and a strike rate of 120.68 and thus he hasn’t been able to continue his T20 World Cup form.

Srikkanth said Varma can not smash the bowling like Phil Salt and RCB skipper Rajat Patidar.

Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “He is not in form, and he doesn’t have the big-hitting capacity. He is not a tearaway batter. He can play shots, but he can’t demolish attacks like a Phil Salt or Rajat Patidar. Tilak Varma can’t smash the bowling like Rajat Patidar.”

He added, “He hasn’t done well for MI in the last two to three IPLs. He can’t take the opposition out of a contest. At his position, he has to play impactful knocks like Patidar. You don’t want consistency here. I am not asking you to score 7 out of 10 games. You score in 4 out of 10 games and win the match singlehandedly for your team. That’s all you need.”

The 1983 World Cup-winning player said Varma should be demoted in the batting order and he should bat at either number six or seven.

“I don’t think MI will do this, but Tilak Varma should be demoted down the order. He should come in at No.6 or 7. Tilak Varma is brilliant only when you have to chase 160 or 170. But chasing 200 or 220, Tilak Varma has no chance,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Mumbai Indians will next take on Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.