Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has backed Tilak Varma over Abhishek Sharma, following the impressive performances of both players in recent T20 outings. The two left-handed batters have made a compelling case for themselves as regular members of India’s top order, showcasing the skills needed to meet the demands of modern-day T20 cricket.

Both players were instrumental in India’s 4-1 victory in the T20I series against England. Abhishek Sharma set a new record for the highest individual score by an Indian batter in T20Is during the fifth match of the series and finished as the top run-scorer. Meanwhile, Tilak Varma demonstrated his versatility and ability to adjust to different match situations, playing a match-winning knock of 72* off 55 balls to help India secure a two-wicket victory in the second T20I in Chennai.

Bangar expressed his preference for “Tilak Varma, stating that while Abhishek Sharma excels during the powerplay, Tilak has the ability to shine even in the middle order when the field is more open. He also highlighted Tilak’s exceptional temperament, which makes him stand out.”

Tilak Varma made his international debut during India’s 2023 tour of the West Indies but faced stiff competition for a spot in the playing XI despite impressing initially. However, his consecutive centuries at No. 3 during the South Africa tour solidified his place as a strong contender for a future role in India’s batting lineup.

Abhishek Sharma, on the other hand, earned his call-up after a standout 2024 IPL campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Although he got off to a rough start with a duck on his debut during the Zimbabwe tour, he quickly made amends by scoring a century in his next match. Over 16 innings, Sharma has accumulated 535 runs at an average of 33.44 and a strike rate of 193.84.