Cries to include Tilak Varma in India’s ODI World Cup squad grow as Ambati Rayudu-Vijay Shankar fiasco architect MSK Prasad bats for the youngster to replace Shreyas Iyer

Tilak Varma has kicked off his International career in some style, scoring 139 runs in three T20I innings.

Cries to include Tilak Varma in India’s ODI World Cup squad grow as Ambati Rayudu-Vijay Shankar fiasco architect MSK Prasad bats for the youngster to replace Shreyas Iyer

Tilak Varma, MSK Prasad (Images via Twitter, TOI)

20-year-old left-handed batter Tilak Varma who considers Suresh Raina as his inspiration has impressed everyone ever since he made his International cricket debut. In three T20I innings, Varma has scored 139 runs at 69.50. This consistency and Varma’s temperament have made him a hot favorite to replace Shreyas Iyer in India’s ODI World Cup squad. Not just the Indian cricket team fans but cricket experts also want Varma to get a place in the World Cup squad. 

While India cricketer R Ashwin suggested that Varma can provide an edge considering he is a lefty, former India Chief Selector MSK Prasad who selected Vijay Shankar ahead of Ambati Rayudu in the 2019 World Cup squad for the former’s three-dimensional skills has also backed Varma. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mciNsOObyXQ&pp=ygUXdGlsYWsgdmFybWEgZGVidXQgbWF0Y2g%3D

MSK Prasad feels Tilak Varma will provide that X-factor and can potentially replace Shreyas Iyer who is racing against time to get fit for the showpiece event. The former India cricketer also cited Varma’s fantastic record in List A cricket for Hyderabad where the batter averages 56.2 in 25 innings. 

“Look at his List A record for Hyderabad. He has played 25 List A games and has an average of 55 plus. Five hundreds and five half-centuries. It means at least 50 percent times he is converting fifties into hundreds. A strike rate of 100 plus,” MSK Prasad told PTI (via Indian Express).

“It won’t be a bad idea provided Shreyas (Iyer) can’t make it. Only then can you think of Varma. But I am sure he will be a white ball regular for India across formats going forward,” MSK Prasad added.

Also Read: Pakistan Cricket Board announces 17-member squad for 2023 Asia Cup, veteran all-rounder makes comeback after two years

What do fans have to say about Tilak Varma’s potential inclusion in World Cup squad?

Tilak Varma batting
Tilak Varma batting during India vs West Indies 2nd T20I (Image via BCCI Twitter)

These comments from big names like Ashwin and MSK Prasad have triggered a debate among the fans. While some agree that Varma can be included in the World Cup squad, a few fans are skeptical about the move and fear that it might backfire just like Vijay Shankar’s inclusion ahead of Ambati Rayudu. 

A few also suggested testing Varma by playing him in the Asia Cup and the ODI series against Australia in the lead-up to the World Cup.

Check out the spectrum of reactions below. 

https://twitter.com/I_am_DipC/status/1689528717415211008?s=20
https://twitter.com/Ritika9189/status/1689534497082179585?s=20
https://twitter.com/GoldenDucck/status/1689530377738821632?s=20
https://twitter.com/cricloversarvsh/status/1689532825501138944?s=20

While fans continue to debate about whether or not Tilak Varma should get a place in the World Cup squad, the Indian team management won’t gamble at the last moment. Even if Shreyas Iyer does not return for the World Cup, Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav have been identified as his replacements.

In case you missed!