ICC World Cup 2023: "He's Ticked All The Boxes" - Ravi Shastri Backs Tilak Varma's Selection In India's Squad

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri lauded young batter Tilak Varma for his batting performances for the national team and his franchise team in the IPL. Ravi Shastri said that he would include Tilak Varma in the Indian team for the ODI World Cup 2023 if he were the chief selector.

Tilak Varma made his international debut in the first T20I of the recently concluded T20I series against the West Indies. The left-handed batter made a significant impact with the bat in the series. He amassed 173 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 43.25 and a strike rate of 130.08.

Very Impressed With Tilak Varma – Ravi Shastri

Speaking on a panel on Star Sports, Ravi Shastri explained why he picked Tilak Varma in India’s squad for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is set to be played at home later this year.

“I’m very impressed with Tilak Varma. If I was a selector and I’m with my panel, I’d be looking at that current form and how he is getting his runs.

So when I look at the way he’s gotten his runs over the last three months, whether it’s for Mumbai Indians, whether it’s for India, whether it’s handling pressure, whether it’s opposition, or whether it’s different situations of the game, he’s ticked all the boxes for someone so young.

When it comes to shot selection, range of shorts, and the ability to be unorthodox, he has everything. So I’ll be looking at him very closely, and he’s hot at the moment. He understands situations, which is the most important thing and he has a good temperament.”

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul’s injuries came at the wrong time and changed the combination of the Rohit Sharma-led team. Both batters are currently recovering from their respective injuries at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Tilak Varma Named In India’s Squad For Ireland Series And Asian Games

Tilak Varma’s inclusion in India’s squad for the T20I series against Ireland and the 2023 Asian Games could indicate that he isn’t in the selectors’ scheme of things. However, he might be under consideration following his impressive batting display in the Caribbean Islands and the USA.

India Squad for Ireland tour: Jasprit Bumrah (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan

India’s squad for Asia Games 2023: Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Shivam Dube, and Prabhsimran Singh (wk)

Also read: Asia Cup 2023: ‘Players Need To Evolve …’- Ravi Shastri’s Massive Statement On Virat Kohli