IND vs PAK: Sanjay Manjrekar Wants Tilak Varma In India’s Playing XI Due To This Reason

Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels that India should pick Tilak Varma in India’s playing XI in the Asia Cup 2023 encounter against Pakistan. Sanjay Manjrekar has also revealed a crucial reason why Tilak Varma should be part of the Indian team during the encounter against Pakistan.

Tilak Varma has been picked in the India squad for the Asia Cup 2023. The left-handed batsman recently made his international debut during the T20I series against West Indies. Executing a stunning batting show, he finished as the highest run-getter for the team during the IND vs. WI T20I series.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Sanjay Manjrekar Elaborates His Expectation Of Batting Flexibility For India

Either Shreyas Iyer or Tilak Varma Could Play In The Middle: Sanjay Manjrekar

During a discussion on ESPNcricinfo, former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar picked India’s playing XI for the opening encounter of Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan. Manjrekar picked Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah as three pacers in the playing XI.

“My three seamers would be Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. Hardik Pandya would be my fourth seamer. My spinners would be Jadeja and Kuldeep.

My opener would be Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. No. 3 batter would be Virat Kohli. KL Rahul would play because he is the keeper,” the former right-handed batsman said.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Kris Srikkanth Takes A Dig At Tilak Varma, Says “He Is A Brilliant Player, But…”

Sanjay Manjrekar reckoned for either Shreyas Iyer or Tilak Varma in the middle order. Manjrekar highlighted that India’s first-choice six batters are all right-handers. Hence, India should induct Tilak Varma in the middle, who is a left-handed batsman.

“Either Shreyas Iyer or Tilak Varma could play [in the middle]. I am saying this because in India’s first-choice side XI, the first six batters, including Hardik Pandya, are all right-handers. Somewhere, India will have to fit in a left-hander in Tilak Varma. This is a problem India has,” the 58-year-old said.

Below is Sanjay Manjrekar’s playing XI for India for the clash against Pakistan.

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer/ Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Saba Karim Backs Tilak Varma’s Inclusion In Asia Cup Squad, Says He Will Not Take Too Long To Transition From T20 To ODI’

Meanwhile, India will face Pakistan on September 2 in the Asia Cup 2023. Later, India will also face Nepal on September 4. India, led by Rohit Sharma, are part of Group A in Asia Cup 2023.