Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has criticised the team management for their decision to replace Axar Patel as the vice-captain of the Indian T20I side for their series against Ireland and England, set to commence in late June.

In a major shakeup, Shreyas Iyer has been appointed the captain of the T20I side, with Tilak Varma named his deputy. Iyer replaces outgoing captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was backed up by Axar Patel as his vice-captain. Srikkanth has questioned the management for their decision, stating that Axar is a player with captaincy experience in the IPL, leading the Delhi Capitals.  

"Axar Patel was the vice-captain of the T20 World Cup-winning team, and he is still in the team. How did you look past him and go for Tilak Varma as vice-captain? I can't understand the logic behind this move. Tilak Varma hasn't even captained a side in the IPL, whereas Axar Patel has been captaining the Delhi Capitals," Srikkanth said, speaking on his YouTube channel.

The former opening batter also noted that Tilak did not have a stunning IPL season, which does not warrant being made the vice-captain on an immediate basis. He scored 359 runs at a strike rate of 145.93 with two half-centuries and one stunning century. 

"Tilak Varma didn't have a deadly IPL either. He played a few good knocks but wasn't consistent. It's stunning that he was made vice-captain straightaway."

Tilak has been a mainstay of India's T20I set-up in the last few years, scoring 1390 runs in 46 innings, striking at 145.54. He has filled in various roles in the middle order and has scored six half-centuries and two centuries.

In other significant news, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to be called up to India's squad at 15 years of age, coming off the back of a stunning IPL season where he scored a whopping 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.70. He has been named to the squads to take on Ireland and England, with the tour set to commence on June 26.