“Tilak Varma can put pressure on Suryakumar Yadav” Matthew Hayden thinks it’s the right call to include Varma in the team

Matthew Hayden believes that selecting Tilak Varma for the Asia Cup 2023 can make the players “honest”. 

“Tilak Varma can put pressure on Suryakumar Yadav” Matthew Hayden thinks it’s the right call to include Varma in the team

Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Matthew Heyden (Images via X, Sportscraazy)

In a recent event in Mumbai, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden spoke about various things happening in the cricket world. He spoke about how he thinks Steven Smith is the perfect wingman for captain Pat Cummins and he questioned David Warner’s retirement plans. What kept Hayden most interested was the inclusion of Tilak Varma in the Indian squad for the 2023 Asia Cup.

Hayden believes that picking Tilak Varma was the right call. He said that India has great batsmen at the opening positions and the number 3 position but thinks that the middle order needs some fixing. 

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“And if they can fill spots with talented young players like Tilak Varma, put pressure on someone like Suryakumar Yadav, I think that’s a good strategy. Keep everyone honest in the side and performing. So not a bad move. I think it’s a great side,” said Hayden. Hayden further said that this selection could help India figuring out their middle order for the next World Cup as well.

Related: “Mumbai lobby at its best”- Fans slam BCCI as 5 Mumbai Indians players get selected for 2023 Asia Cup including Tilak Varma despite never playing ODI

Despite not playing a single ODI, Tilak Varma got selected in 2023 Asia Cup squad 

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Tilak Varma batting for Mumbai Indians (image via IPL)

The 20-year-old southpaw from Hyderabad hasn’t featured in an ODI yet, but Tilak Varma still got called up into the Asia Cup squad, which was announced yesterday. Tilak Varma has impressed everyone with his performances in the Indian Premier League. In 2 seasons he’s had responsible knocks like the 51 off 43 against CSK after a top order collapse or the ruthless 84 off 46 he scored against RCB. That knock had 9 fours and 4 sixes. 

He has good numbers in List A cricket as well, scoring 1236 runs in 25 innings. He averages 56.18 while striking at  101.64. While these are good numbers, fans were shocked how a player who has played only 7 T20Is got selected for the Asia Cup Squad. Those 7 innings include one half century. Tilak was close to scoring his 2nd half century in the next game, but Hardik Pandya had finished the game off by then.

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