Star Indian cricketer Tilak Varma, who has played just five ODIs in his three-year-long career, is firmly in India’s World Cup plans as the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is looking for a backup for Shreyas Iyer, according to a report in The Times of India.
As a southpaw, Tilak offers a change of pace to a batting line-up otherwise dominated by right-handers. He has been encouraged to work on his bowling as well, with his off-spin regarded as an aspect of his game with considerable potential.
Tilak has a batting average of 47.6 in List A cricket and has 11 wickets from 25 bowling innings in the format.
The team management has also highlighted the lack of bowling options in the top order, pointing to it as a factor that puts additional pressure
on the lower order and the specialist bowlers.
India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup are expected to gather pace just when the team travels to New Zealand in October, as most of the first-choice cricketers will be unavailable for the home ODI series against the West Indies, starting Sunday, September 27.
“Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there is not any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy being prone to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI,” a BCCI source said while speaking to The Times of India.
Over the past year, the team management has often had to slot either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel at No. 5 or No. 6 to maintain balance in the playing XI.
During the last series in England, Ishan Kishan was also promoted ahead of Iyer.
“The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late,” the source said.
“The team already has two ageing players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well. KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around,” the source added.
