Tilak Varma: Has India got long lost missing puzzle at No. 4 for World Cup?

Second ball in international cricket and Tilak Varma bags a wicket! But that is not all. Tilak Varma’s inclusion in the Indian Cricket Team has been like a breath of fresh air. The 20-year-old Mumbai Indians batter showcased his class with the bat and has been one of the best gifts that the Men in Blue got in the IND vs WI T20I series. Will his exceptional performances guarantee a spot at Asia Cup 2023 & World Cup 2023 Squad?

While questions were raised about his inclusion in the team Hardik Pandya and Rahul Dravid had been adamant that they are going to give the youngster chance against West Indies. To no one’s surprise, Tilak Varma played 5 T20Is did what was expected from him. 5 matches, 2 not-outs, 173 runs, and an average close to 60 with a strong strike rate of 141, Varma was just the layer that India needed rather than deserved.

Although he might have confirmed his spot in T20 World Cup 2024 squad, is there room for him in ODI squad as well?

With the Asia Cup and the World Cup up next, Varma is yet to make his ODI debut. But that is not it. Though initially it has been claimed that he will not be fast-tracked into the World Cup squad, his strong performance in the West Indies series will surely make the selectors question their decision twice.

Making a case for himself, Varma managed a fine milestone. He is now the second-highest run-getter in a T20I series against West Indies.

Most runs by Indians in a T20I series against West Indies:

183 – Virat Kohli in 2019/20
173 – Tilak Varma in 2023
164 – KL Rahul in 2019/20

Should Tilak Varma be included in the Asia Cup 2023 & World Cup Squad?

With the India vs West Indies series done and dusted, all that remains is the middle order for the Asia Cup and World Cup Squad. With the likes of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer on route to return from their injuries, it will be a tough choice to replace either should they be fit. Moreover, despite SKY’s inconsistent form in ODIs, his x-factor puts his name ahead of Varma in the pecking order.

But it is not just his dynamic batting, Varma is a good fielder and part-time bowler. Moreover, he is a left-hander batter. With Rishabh Pant out of the equation, he gives India a chance to tackle the army of left-arm spinners in Asia Cup and World Cup.

While India has been crucial with specialists in the team, gone are the days when batters of the team could bowl and pick crucial wickets at different junctures of the game.

5 options, no solutions: 4 years on, India’s No 4 spot hits roadblock 53 days before WC

Now the question is where does that put Varma? It is now obvious that Varma has made a strong case for the selectors who will have a tough time benching him. But does he deserve a place in the 18-member squad?

Tilak Varma will miss at least the first two games of World Cup 2023 even if he is picked. He is in the Indian contingent for the Asian Games 2023, which will be held in China from September 23 to October 8. The Asian Games will clash with the World Cup 2023.

Backing Varma for his selection in the Indian team, veteran all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin said, “Will they [selectors] think about Tilak Varma as an option if we don’t have enough backups? Because Sanju Samson has performed really well in ODIs. But the exciting part about Tilak Varma is that he is a left-hander and Team India is lacking left-handers. Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) is the only left-handed batter in the top 7.”

Tilak Varma – More than just a batter

Tilak Varma scalped a fiery Nicholas Pooran on the very second ball of his Internationa cricket. The part-time off-spinner took just 2 balls to break a deadly partnership for the Windies. A tossed-up delivery caught Pooran by surprise who wanted to play a reverse sweep. The ball took a big edge from the toe-end of the bat before flying to the hands of Hardik Pandya.

Back in the day, top batters like Sachin Tendulkar, and Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh often came to bowl small spells that are missing in the current setup. But this approach has been long lost by the Men in Blue. That however will not be the case for Tilak Varma if he gets a chance in the ODIs.

Backing both Varma and young Yashasvi Jaiswal India”s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey had previously said that the duo are good bowlers and are likely to get their hands on the ball very soon.

“When you have someone who can chip in, it is nice. I have seen Tilak and Yashasvi bowl since U19 days. They are capable of being good bowlers. They can work on it at this level. When you got options like these, it is nice to have them. We will see them bowl soon hopefully, we are working on it. It will take time. Soon, we will see them bowling an over at least,” said Mhambrey.