'Chup chaap ball daal': Rohit Sharma's 'appeal' warning to India spinner

India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma praised young batter Tilak Varma for his mindset and composure, and also shared a light-hearted piece of advice for spinner Kuldeep Yadav ahead of the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.

Rohit, who ended India’s ICC title drought by leading the team to the T20 World Cup title in 2024 — the country’s first ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy — was speaking on JioHotstar’s programme.




During the interaction, Rohit spoke about his India and Mumbai Indians teammate Tilak Varma, saying the left-hander is already showing signs of handling pressure games.

"I think he has something different. Attitude is superb. The temperament is, most importantly, the knock in the Asia Cup final (against Pakistan last year), unbelievable. He is already showing signs that he is a big match player," Rohit said.

Tilak is expected to play a key role for India in the T20 World Cup. He has scored 1,183 runs in 40 matches and 37 innings at an average of 49.29, with a strike rate of 144.09. His tally includes two centuries and six half-centuries.

At number three, Tilak has made 542 runs in 15 innings at an average of 60.22 and a strike rate of over 160, with two centuries and three fifties. His highest score in that position is an unbeaten 120. He can adjust his game between holding the innings together and scoring quickly when required.

Though he scored back-to-back centuries in South Africa towards the end of 2024, his unbeaten 69 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup remains one of his most talked-about innings. Batting at number four, he helped India chase 147 in a tight match. At that position, he has scored 490 runs in 14 innings at an average of 54.44 and a strike rate of over 128, including two fifties. (ANI)

Rohit also spoke about Kuldeep Yadav, who is expected to be an important part of India’s bowling attack in the tournament, and shared a humorous message for the spinner.

"Koi advice nahi hai bhaisahab ko. Chup chaap apna ball daal. Aur peeche ja, on every ball you cannot appeal yaar. (No advice to this guy. Just bowl and go back. You cannot appeal on every ball)," Rohit said.

Kuldeep has taken 90 wickets in 50 T20Is for India at an average of 13.17 and an economy rate of 6.82. His best figures are 5/17. He has three four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls in the format. He was also the leading wicket-taker for India in last year’s Asia Cup, picking up 17 wickets in seven matches at an average of 9.29, including two four-wicket hauls, as India won the title.

India are placed in Group A along with Pakistan, Namibia, the Netherlands and the USA. They will begin their campaign against the USA in Mumbai on February 7, while the match against Pakistan is scheduled to be played in Colombo on February 15.

If India manage to defend their title, they will become the first team to successfully defend a T20 World Cup. It will also be their third T20 World Cup title, which would make them the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

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