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‘Tilak Varma Can Put Pressure On Suryakumar Yadav...,’ Says Matthew Hayden Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023

image-llm3dwc4Tilak Varma in action against WI (AP)

Tilak Varma, having made his debut in West Indies earlier this month, made the most of his opportunities throughout India’s five-match T20I series. The cricketer was subsequently rewarded with a surprise ODI call-up, as he found his name among India’s 17-player squad for the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

Former Australian player Matthew Hayden recently praised Varma, and claimed that the youngster’s presence in the ODI team will put added pressure on India’s regular number four Suryakumar Yadav and several other first-choice batters.

Hayden believes Varma will keep Suryakumar ‘honest’

Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a sparkling revelation in India’s T20I team over the last couple of years. However, the same cannot be said about his ODI performance as he is yet to set the format ablaze with his batting.

Yadav averages only 24.33 in ODIs for India (as opposed to 46 in T20Is) and he even slumped to three successive first-ball ducks against Australia in a three-match series earlier this year. Moreover, the right-hander also failed to register a single notable innings in the recently-concluded ODI series in West Indies.

Despite Yadav’s 50-overs failure, the cricketer was selected in India’s squad for the all-important Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka. He will be accompanied by his Mumbai Indians teammate, young Tilak Varma who just graduated into an explosive white-ball prospect for India during the same West Indies tour.

Former Australian batsman Matthew Hayden justified Varma’s inclusion in the Indian squad, and claimed that his presence will keep other struggling batters in the side honest and dedicated to perform. While speaking on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards Ceremony in Mumbai, Hayden said:

“If they (India) can fill spots with talented young players like Tilak Varma, put pressure on someone like Suryakumar Yadav, I think that’s a good strategy. Keep everyone honest in the side and performing. So not a bad move. I think it’s a great side.”

Team India’s Asia Cup 2023 campaign will launch with a game against arch-rivals Pakistan. The match is scheduled to be played out on September 2 at Kandy’s Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.