Could Tilak Varma Play In 2023 ODI World Cup? Rohit Sharma Answers The Big Question

11.08.2023 - 06:57 sports.ndtv.com

The emergence of young batter Tilak Varma has given the Indian cricket team and its fans plenty of hope. The left-handed batter did wonders for the team in the first three T20Is against West Indies, playing a responsible yet attractive style of batting.

His success made many wonder whether the 20-year-old batter can be considered the No. 4 spot in the Indian team for the ODI World Cup 2023.

India skipper Rohit Sharma, when asked about the same, didn't shut the doors on his Mumbai Indians teammate. Rohit himself is on a break, with the selectors deciding to give youngsters more opportunities, especially in the T20 assignments.

As the chatter around Varma earning an ODI World Cup spot for the No.4 role intensified, Rohit refused to give away anything other than praising him. "He looks very promising.

cricket India Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup Rohit Sharma Asia Cup Tilak Varma India

The Asia Cup 2023 is just around the corner and all the cricket fans are eagerly waiting to witness the tournament, which will kick-start from August 30. In the opening match, Pakistan will be squaring off against Nepal in Multan. Team India will be facing their arch-rivals Pakistan in their campaign opener on September 2 in Kandy. The continental event will be really special for star India batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as the duo will look to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's memorable record.

"Do Not Give Tilak Varma Debut In World Cup": India Great. Explains Why

Tilak Varma has been a breath of fresh air in the Indian cricket team. He is left-handed and has shown the right intent in the middle-order in the few matches that he has played for the Indian T20I team. The result of that is that he has been rewarded with a spot in India's Asia Cup squad. However, with KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer also being selected, Varma might not get many chances in the Indian team's playing XI. The 20-year-old Tilak has so far played seven T20Is, scored 174 runs. In 25 List A matches, he has scored 1236 runs at an average of 56.18.

"Either Shreyas Iyer or Tilak Varma": Sanjay Manjrekar Picks India's XI For Asia Cup

Asia Cup 2023 is just around the corner and the cricket fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the mouth-watering clash between India and Pakistan. The arch-rivals will be squaring off against each other in Kandy on September 2. Team India's squad for the continental event was announced on Monday, where all-rounder Hardik Pandya was named as the vice-captain. Apart from him, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have also been included in the squad, after recovering from their respective injuries.

India's ICC World Cup 2023 Squad: No Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson And Prasidh Krishna In Sourav Ganguly's 15-Member List

Former Indian cricket team skipper Sourav Ganguly named his pick for India's ICC World Cup 2023 squad and it had some interesting exclusions. Ganguly decided to not include the trio of Sanju Samson, Prasidh Krishna and Tilak Varma - all three players who were picked for Asia Cup 2023. It included both Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul who are making a return from injury and were added in the squad for Asia Cup. India will start their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.

Tilak Varma "Can Be Future All-Format Player": Ex India Star

Seeing Tilak Varma get the nod in India's Asia Cup squad, many eyebrows were raised. The left-handed batter, who showed his skills on the pitch in the T20I series against West Indies, impressed the selectors enough to earn a spot in India's 17-man squad for the continental event. However, with KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer also being selected, Varma might not get many chances in the Indian team's playing XI. However, former India cricketer Saba Karim feels Tilak's selection alone shows the confidence the selectors and team management have in him.

Tilak Varma Confident Of Carrying List A Form Into ODIs

Young batter Tilak Varma on Tuesday said he is confident of carrying his List A cricket form into one-day internationals, after receiving a maiden call-up in the Indian squad for the Asia Cup. The left-handed Varma, who made his international debut for India in T20Is earlier this month on the West Indies tour, is the newest face in the 17-member extended India squad for the Asia Cup, starting August 30. The same group is expected to be pruned further to 15 members for the World Cup starting on October 5.