The ODI World Cup 2027 may be over 12 months away, but India don’t want to leave any stone unturned in their preparations. According to TOI, the team management is looking at the left-handed batter Tilak Varma for the global tournament.
It was reported that the 23-year-old has been zeroed in as a backup for Shreyas Iyer in the middle order. The management further feels that Tilak’s ability to bowl off-spin also holds him in good stead. The team is looking for someone who can contribute key overs during a game.
“Coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill feel there is not much backup ready for the middle-order with Hardik and Nitish prone to fitness issues. They are looking at someone from the top-order who can also roll his arm over,” a BCCI source told TOI.
“The team has to prepare for the massive tournament next year. Iyer got injured during the ODI series in Australia, and his game against short-balls hasn’t been tested so far. The side also has two ageing stars in Rohit and Virat, and they too have been having niggles. KL Rahul will also be 35 next year, while Ravindra Jadeja is also not a certainty as of now. Fielding has suffered due to injuries, and there is a feeling that younger backups have to be ready.”
End of the road for Ruturaj Gaikwad?
Ruturaj Gaikwad hasn’t played since the home series against South Africa in 2025. Speaking to TOI, the source also spoke about Gaikwad. “Ruturaj was tried as an opener since Shubman was injured. It was felt that Tilak could have been tried, and it would be early to rush Devdutt Padikkal into ODI cricket.”
The newspaper also reported that the side for the 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan is set to be picked on 3rd September. Varun Chakravarthy has gained full fitness, while Hardik PandyaNitish Kumar Reddy, and Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness status is yet unknown.
Varma has played five games so far, scoring 68 runs with a best of 52. In List A cricket, the Mumbai Indians batter has played 52 matches, scoring 2142 runs with six centuries and 14 fifties, at an average of 47 and also grabbed 11 wickets.