Ashwin impressed by Windies’ Tilak Varma, potential ODI X-factor

NEW DELHI: Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has urged national selectors and team management to believe in talented Tilak Varma and include him in the World Cup squad, as he could be the answer to India’s middle-order woes with multiple batters still recovering from injuries.

Former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad agreed with Ashwin’s comments, saying he’d like to see Varma in the final 15 if Shreyas Iyer fails to make the cut. The 20-year-old stylish Hyderabad left-hander has impressed everyone with scores of 39, 50, and 49 not out in three T20I games in the West Indies and has never looked out of place at the international level.

“This is neck-and-neck with the World Cup.” So, if we don’t have enough backups, will they consider Tilak Varma? Because Sanju Samson has been outstanding in ODIs. The exciting aspect of Tilak Varma is that he is a left-hander, which Team India is lacking. “The only left-handed batter in the top seven is Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja),” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

With star batters KL Rahul (thigh surgery) and Iyer (lower back surgery) racing against the clock to fit for the 50-over showpiece beginning October 5, the two back-up options, Suryakumar Yadav and Samson, have not inspired high confidence as the No.4 slot conundrum persists.

While Surya has the confidence of the team management and an extra middle-order option in the squad, Samson has wasted far too many opportunities, and if Rahul is fit, Ishan Kishan will be the second keeper-cum-reserve opener.

Ashwin chose Varma due to the lack of quality finger spinners in top cricket nations. He believes Tilak’s emergence is crucial as most teams lack left-handed batters. Although it may be difficult to fast-track Varma, Ashwin believes he is worth giving him a chance, especially after his Caribbean exploits.