Tilak Varma Confident Of Carrying List A Form Into ODIs

22.08.2023 - 18:03 sports.ndtv.com

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. Varma, who averages an impressive 56.18 in 25 List A games with five tons and as many fifties, told BCCI that he was confident of excelling in one-day cricket. "I am really confident playing one-day cricket.

I have done well in List A cricket for my state and at U-19 (level) I have done well. I am confident that I can do well in ODIs," Varma said in a video interview. "I never dreamed that I would be debuting directly in the Asia Cup — that too in the one-day side.

cricket India Cricket Team Ireland Cricket Team Asia Cup 2023 Rohit Sharma Asia Cup Tilak Varma Ireland India

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.

"By Failing In His Last Two Matches...": Ex-India Star's 'Tongue In Cheek' Take On Tilak Varma's Asia up call-up

Tilak Varma's inclusion in India's Asia Cup 2023 squad was a proof that if one has potential, reaching great heights in your field is always possible. The left-handed batter showed potential in the T20I series against West Indies in the middle-order and he was justly rewarded. In a line-up full of right-handed starts, Varma provides variety though he lacks experience. Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar praised Varma's inclusion and made a tongue in cheek remark. "Yes, because he is in hot form. Look at his domestic career, he's got the numbers to merit a call for India. And also, tongue in cheek, he is also getting ready for 50 overs cricket by failing in his last two matches in the T20 format.

"Will Call It Brave": Ex-Australia Star On Tilak Varma's Asia Cup Selection

Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody on Monday hailed young Tilak Varma's call-up to Team India for the upcoming Asia Cup, calling it a "brave" and "smart" decision. On Monday, the BCCI's All India Senior Selection Committee, headed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, announced the 17-member squad for the continental showdown set to be played in Pakistan and Sri Lanka beginning August 31. Varma was included in the squad as the sixth specialised batter alongside skipper Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav.