IND vs WI: Tilak Varma In India's World Cup Squad? Ravichandran Ashwin Gives Huge Suggestion To BCCI

The 20-year-old left-handed batter Tilak Varma has impressed many, including Ravichandran Ashwin, with his performance in his debut T20I series. Ashwin has even compared the youngster with Rohit Sharma for his ability to hit pull shots.

Tilak received his debut cap from Hardik Pandya ahead of the five-match T20I series against West Indies. So far India have performed poorly in the two games of the series and the only positive for the side has been the debutant, Tilak Varma. The youngster has been India’s top run-getter in both games.

He started off his international career by smashing two back-to-back sixes and finished with 39 runs in the first game. In the second game, he batted even more brilliantly and scored his maiden half-century.

Meanwhile, in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin showered rich praise on Tilak for showcasing a stupendous performance on debut.

“The emergence of Tilak Varma has made everyone take notice of him. He looked in imperious touch even on that slow pitch in 1st T20I. His batting style is very unlike for an Indian making his international debut.

“His game resembles a lot like Rohit Sharma. He sweats on the pull shot. Generally, India batters won’t set up to play the pull shot. It is something they develop later. But his game looks like he has a natural pull shot and sends the ball outside the rope like an Aussie batter. Too early to call, but that knock was stupendous,” he said.

Any selector who would have seen that knock would have gone, ‘Woah!’ – Ravichandran Ashwin on Tilak Varma

Ravichandran Ashwin further said that the selectors would definitely have been impressed with the way Tilak Varma has batted so far in the series. He added that Tilak can be an option for the ICC ODI World Cup at home as India lack left-handed batters and his inclusion could probably solve India’s middle-order woes.

“This is neck-and-neck with respect to the World Cup. So, will they think about Tilak Varma as an option if we don’t have enough backups? Because Sanju Samson has performed really well in ODIs. But the exciting part about Tilak Varma is that he is a left-hander and Team India is lacking left-handers.

“Jaddu is the only left-handed batter in the top 7. And look at the off-spinners from all the top teams. Australia have Ashton Agar. England have Moeen Ali and a leggie in Adil Rashid. So most teams don’t have a finger spinner to challenge the left-handed batters. That is why the emergence of Tilak is crucial. It is still early but will they see him as an option? He has at least made everyone notice him. He is surely in the contingency plan. Because any selector who would have seen that knock would have gone, ‘Woah!’”he added.