World Cup 2023: Left-handed Tilak Varma could be a plus in middle order, feels Ravi Ashwin
CWC 2023: Left-handed Tilak Varma could be a plus in middle order: Ashwin
The Indian Cricket Team is deprived of left-handed batters in the middle order, with Ravindra Jadeja – at number seven, as the only sure starter. Southpaw Tilak Varma, who is making the right noises as things stand in the ongoing Caribbean white-ball series, ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels his inclusion, even as a backup in the World Cup 2023 squad, will be a plus for the home team.
As the selection committee will soon name the preliminary squad for the marquee event, starting on October 5 in Ahmedabad, Tilak, as Ashwin feels, will remain in contention. While the onus will be on unfit Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul to take up the number fourand five slotsrespectively, in the worst-case scenario (considering both are injured and unavailable), having Tilak alongside Sanju Samson and even Suryakumar Yadav as backups will not hurt India.
Speaking his heart out on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said knowing how well the left-handers can take down the spinners in the middle overs, with Tilak around, India can utilise his talent and put pressure on big teams like Australia and England.
ALSO READ:Should India rope in Tilak Varma for ODI World Cup? Former chief selector MSK Prasad shares his take
"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 (Ravindra Jadeja) is the only left-handed batter in the top 7," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
"And look at the 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," Ashwin added.
Tilak’s run in the Caribbean is turning heads
So far, in three outings, Tilak has a fifty to his name and an unbeaten 49, with the latter coming during India’s latest win in the 3rd T20I. His attacking approach has kept him on everyone’s radar, with selectors also keeping a keen eye on him.
Ashwin feels the way Tilak began his career, he made everyone aware of his presence, admitting there is no harm in going ahead with the 20-year-old as India chases first ICC trophy since 2013.
"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!'" Ashwin said.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:
