India chief selector Ajit Agarkar explains reason behind Tilak Varma's selection for Asia Cup 2023

Tilak Varma scored 173 runs in 5 T20I games against West Indies in his debut series.

The doubt over Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul’s fitness before the Asia Cup team announcement made Tilak Varma’s name count as a contender for a middle-order place in the Indian team. Tilak Varma also backed it up with his magnificent performance on the recently concluded West Indies tour. Now he is included in the 17-member squad for the Asia Cup. This one decision also makes him a strong contender for a place in the World Cup 2023 squad. Indian chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained Tilak’s inclusion and said they saw some real promise in the young man.

Agarkar explains Tilak Varma’s selection

The Indian chief selector, while talking about 20-year-old left-hand batter Tilak Varma, said, “Tilak Varma is promising. The Asia Cup is a big opportunity for him. We saw some real promise, not only in terms of performance but also temperament, during the T20I series against the West Indies. This will give him exposure. He is also a left-hander.” Tilak being a left-hand batting option also became an impactful point in his selection. Not only Agarkar but also Indian captain Rohit Sharma looked impressed with Tilak Varma.

Tilak Varma scored 173 runs in the five T20I innings he played against West Indies. He also smashed a half-century against West Indies in the second T20I to announce his arrival on the big stage. Tilak has magnificent List-A stats as well. He has played 25 List-A games for Hyderabad and scored 1236 runs at an average of 56.18, with 10 fifty-plus scores. Tilak smashed five centuries and five half-centuries for Hyderabad. Tilak may not get a chance to make his debut, but his elevation must be a morale booster for him.

Along with Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav has also been included in the Indian team. Sanju Samson has been dropped and will be touring as a backup. KL Rahul is still not fully fit and has a niggle. If Rahul doesn’t get fit until the opening games of the Asia Cup, Sanju Samson will be drafted as Rahul’s replacement. Ishan Kishan is there as a backup wicket-keeper option as well as an opening batter, along with Shubman Gill and captain Rohit Sharma. Yuzvendra Chahal has been dropped from the squad to keep Axar and Jadeja in the team.

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