IND Vs WI: Wasim Jaffer Wants Tilak Varma's Addition In ODI Squad, Says 'He’s Shown A Lot Of Maturity'

Former India opening batsman, Wasim Jaffer spoke on Tilak Varma and wanted him to see him included in the ODI squad for India. Tilak Varma showed his worth in the first three T20I games against West Indies and was on the verge of scoring his consecutive fifty.

While speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Jaffer praised Tilak Varma and said that the 20-year-old showed a lot of maturity in the T20I series and can take part in the ODI squad till the time Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are out due to injury.

The former player added that Varma will get an extra advantage since he is a left-handed batsman and the team management is in search of that only.

“If at all India need a batter to look at in 50 overs, I won’t be surprised if it’s Tilak Varma. The kind of maturity that he has shown, I’ll be happy to see him coming into the ODI mix also. There are talks that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are not ready yet. Why not throw in a youngster like Tilak Varma? He’s shown a lot of maturity and [gives] that left-hander option. We’ve been looking for a top-order left-hander. Why not Tilak Varma?,” Wasim Jaffer said.

I’ll probably take a bait on him: Wasim Jaffer on Tilak Varma

The-year-old also added that there is limited time at the time since the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup are approaching and the team management need to take early decisions.

While talking about Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, the former batsman said that the two batsmen are still not sure about their return to the squad before ODI World Cup and for which he wanted to take a chance with the youngster.

“We are definitely short on time. You want a guy to play at least 15-20 ODIs. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. We expected Shreyas and KL to be ready for the Asia Cup. We don’t know whether they will be available for Australia ODIs. I’ll probably take a bait on Tilak Varma if at all,” Wasim Jaffer added.

Wasim Jaffer praised the 20-year-old and said that he has not seen anyone as consistent as Tilak Varma in their first three innings and also called him very mature.

“In the first three innings, I can’t remember anyone being as consistent, as mature or as assured in his strokeplay as Tilak Varma. He’s very young and for him to come out and bat in certain situations, an absolute delight to see. He came out with the rain coming in and there were talks that it might go to Duckworth-Lewis,” Jaffer further added.

The fourth T20I match between India and West Indies will be played on Saturday (August 12) and will be played at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida. The match will begin at 8:00 PM IST.