IND vs PAK: Could Be India's Trump Card Or X-Factor In The World Cup - Abhishek Nayar On Tilak Varma

Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar talked about Tilak Varma’s selection in the Asia Cup 2023. He said that the southpaw could be the team’s trump card or X factor in the ICC World Cup 2023 because no one has seen him before.

Tilak Varma was one of the surprising selections in the Indian team for the Asia Cup 2023. The left-hander showed great promise during the T20I series against West Indies and despite him being on hua debut, he carried the Indian batting line up.

Tilak Varma ended the T20I series against West Indies as the leading run-getter for India. But what was even more impressive was he batted with immense maturity and looked unfazed by the pressure of international cricket. Even chief selector Ajit Agarkar mentioned that they were impressed with the promise he showed and that’s why they were tempted to pick him.

Abhishek Nayar touted Tilak Varma’s selection as a big call as most teams don’t take a lot of chances before the World Cup. He also pointed out that he can be a great asset for the team because he can bowl as well.

Speaking to Jio Cinema, he explained: “I am pleasantly surprised to see Tilak in the squad. During the Wst Indies series, we had a lot of discussions about who are the middle-order options for India. Tilak Varma can bowl also and he is a player for the future who has done well in the IPL also. Yes, it is a big call. Normally close to a World Cup, you don’t want to take a lot of chances,” he said.

IND vs PAK: Could Be India’s Trump Card Or X-Factor In The World Cup – Abhishek Nayar On Tilak Varma

Abhishek Nayar highlighted that Asia Cup will be a great platform to test Tilak Varma and he can do what Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina did for India with both bat and ball. He added:

“But the Asia Cup is the perfect platform to test someone like Tilak Varma and see what he is made of. When you have someone who has shown you a pattern in terms of performing under pressure, I don’t see that’s a bad thing.

“I think going forward he is someone who can fulfil the role that a Yuvraj and Raina played for India with both bat and ball. I think India should try him I big matches at the Asia Cup because if he does well, he could be India’s trump card or x-factor in the World Cup, whom no one has seen before,” he concluded.

Tilak Varma has a staggering record in List A cricket as he averages over 56 in the 50-over format. He has played 25 games in this format and has smashed 1236 runs. If this is not only he has smashed 5 hundreds and 5 half-centuries as well to go with the best score of unbeaten 156.