Asia Cup 2023: Tilak Varma makes his ODI debut in IND vs BAN Super Four clash, becomes 252nd cricketer to represent India in ODIs

Tilak Varma makes his ODI debut for India in IND vs BAN final Super Four clash of Asia Cup 2023.

Tilak Varma become the latest entry in Indian ODI playing XI as he was presented with his One-Day International cap before India’s last super four over game against Bangladesh. India made five changes for the game to try out their bench strength before the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Tilak Varma will be replacing Virat Kohli in the playing XI as Indian team management decided to give their senior players a rest before the big game on Sunday. Tilak Varma made his international debut in the T20I series against West Indies.

5 changes in Indian Playing XI

Tilak Varma has done a magnificent job in India’s middle-order in the shorter format of the game. This will be Tilak Varma’s first opportunity in the 50-overs format. Indian captain Rohit Sharma explained team management’s decision to try out the bench at the toss and said, "You've got to be brave and play your natural game. We got to give time to some other guys who had not played. We have made five changes: Virat, Hardik, Siraj, Bumrah, and Kuldeep are out. Tilak makes his debut, and Shami and Prasidh also come in. Suryakumar also gets a game."

Shreyas Iyer has made good progress but is still not fully fit and has not made it to the playing XI. Iyer had a back spasm just before India’s all-important game against Pakistan in the super 4 round. The BCCI's official statement revealed that Iyer has shown improvement but is still not fully fit. KL Rahul will take up the responsibility as the number 3 batter in the top-order, while Tilak Varma will be playing as the number 4 batter. Ishan Kishan will again shift back to number 5. Mohammed Shami will be playing his second game of the tournament, while Prasidh Krishna makes his comeback after almost a year in the 50-overs format.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bowl at the R. Premadasa International Stadium in Colombo. Bangladesh wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim is missing out on the action as he went back to Dhaka due to the birth of another child and is there with his family. Tanzim Hasan will be making his debut for Bangladesh in the game. Team India have already qualified for Asia Cup 2023 finals, while Bangladesh are knocked out of the competition. India will be playing Sri Lanka in the finals on Sunday. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by two wickets in the Super Four clash to get ticket to the finals.