Asia Cup 2023: 'Tilak Varma's Selection Will Put Pressure On Suryakumar Yadav' - Matthew Hayden On India's Squad

Legendary Australia National Cricket Team batter Matthew Hayden has shared his views on the selection of the 20-year-old batter Tilak Varma in India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad and said that a good call has been made by the BCCI selectors.

Tilak Varma has received his ODI call-up for the upcoming Asia Cup. The continental tournament will commence on Wednesday, August 30, and will end on Sunday, September 17.

Tilak Varma recently made his international debut in the T20I series against West Indies and so far has represented the side in just 7 matches. However, due to his batting masterclass in the limited opportunities he has been handed, the batter made it to the Asia Cup team.

Meanwhile, Matthew Hayden, the two-time World Cup champion, said that Tilak has shown his class and his inclusion is a good strategy.

“In the lead up to World Cups you are always going to have some trial players and we have seen the class of Tilak Varma. I think it’s a good strategy in terms of not just this World Cup but even potentially getting into the next World Cup (cycle) as well,” Hayden said on the sidelines of the Ceat Cricket Rating awards, as quoted by Sportstar.

The great thing about Team India is it’s got a really solid 1-2-3 combination – Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden further said that India have got a strong top-3 like Australia, but they have to sort out their middle-order. Labeling the Indian squad as great, Hayden claimed that the inclusion of Tilak in the team will put pressure on the No.1 ranked T20I batsman Suryakumar Yadav, who is yet to crack the 50-over format.

“The great thing about Team India is it’s got a really solid 1-2-3 combination. Similar to Australia actually. When you look at their last four or five months, they have had a really good strong, what we like to call, the engine room,” he said.

“And then they have got some good problems to solve through the middle order. And if they can fill spots with a few talented young players like Tilak, 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.”

A total of six teams will feature in the marquee tournament, which consists of 13 matches. India, Pakistan, and Nepal form Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are placed in Group B.