MSK Prasad Names Shreyas Iyer’s Potential Replacement In ODI World Cup 2023, Says You Think Of Tilak Varma

MSK Prasad Names Shreyas Iyer's Potential Replacement For ODI WC 2023

FORMER India selector reckoned that Tilak Varma will be the potential replacement for Shreyas Iyer in team India’s scheme of things for the upcoming ODI World Cup and Asia Cup. Tilak made his debut in T20I against West Indies and the batter is in rollicking form as he slammed 39, 51 and 49 runs respectively in the three T20Is.

With Shreyas Iyer injured, it would be difficult for the selectors to pick number four for the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup.

Consedaring, Tilak’s current form the former India selector said that It will not be a bad idea provided if Shreyas Iyer cannot make it then you can think of Tilak Varma.

“It won’t be a bad idea provided Shreyas (Iyer) can’t make it. Only then can you think of Varma. But I am sure he will be a white ball regular for India across formats going forward,” MSK Prasad told PTI.

“Look at his List A record for Hyderabad. He has played 25 List A games and has an average of 55 plus. Five hundreds and five half-centuries. It means at least 50 per cent times he is converting fifties into hundreds. A strike rate of 100 plus,” Prasad added.

I Agree With Pragyan Ojha On Expediting Tilak Varma For No. 4 Position In ODI: Aakash Chopra

 India won the third T20I of the five-match series by seven wickets, after going 0-2 down. Tilak Varma, who made his India debut in this series, continued his good form and scored his third consecutive thirty-plus score.

JioCinema expert Pragyan Ojha recently tweeted that Varma should be fast-tracked into the No. 4 spot for Team India in ODIs.

Aakash Chopra seconded Ojha’s view but said there is another aspect to it.

“Generally, we tend to forget people who are not there. This has been a continuous debate happening around the No. 4 position. We even talked about it during the ODI series. We saw three different batters at that position, Axar Patel was also tried at that position, even though he wasn’t a candidate for that position. At that time, we were still discussing Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul, right? When they are back, I think Tilak must wait. But at this point in time, if we don’t see them, then why not, Tilak can be tried.”

RP Singh concurred with Chopra and Ojha.

“He has successfully ticked all the boxes, and the most impressive aspect of his batting lies in his fearless approach right from the first ball. He doesn’t merely swing for the sake of swinging; instead, he evaluates where to place the ball. His profound understanding of the game, including its pace and rhythm, enables him to take calculated risks.”

“I feel he is prepared, with his performances in the domestic circuit and IPL, all of that is in his head that he has played such good innings but when you play a match at the international level you need to prepare well knowing which bowlers are there and to which bowler will you be hitting those big shots.”