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'Won’t Be a Bad Idea Provided...': Former India Chief Selector Backs Tilak Varma's Inclusion In ODIs

image-ll4o9unnTilak Varma is the leading run-getter in T20I series vs WI [Source: Twitter]

India's new sensation Tilak Varma is making the right noises in international cricket. The young batter in his debut T20I series for India has impressed one-and-all with his temperament and responsible play.

Varma is the leading run-getter in the ongoing five-T20I series against West Indies in the Caribbean, having amassed 139 runs with one fifty in three encounters.

Former India wicket-keeper and chairman of selector MSK Prasad has backed Varma's inclusion in India's One-Day International (ODI) setup if Shreyas Iyer remains unavailable. With India still finding an adept No.4 batter in ODIs, Varma's chances are very high, given his performance for Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) and now for Team India. 

Speaking to PTI, Prasad, who selected India's CWC 2019 squad, highlighted Varma's domestic record to put his case forward. 

Here's what Prasad said

“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.

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

India's leading Test off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also called for Varma's inclusion in ODIs, entering into the squad as a possible backup option for CWC 2023, given he bats left-handed. 

Varma will be action for India in the fourth T20I on Saturday at Florida, with West Indies leading the series 2-1.