NEW DELHI: Former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Sandeep Patil on Friday voiced their support for the inclusion of the promising talent, Tilak Varma, in India's middle-order lineup for the impending ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
The mega event will be held in India from October 5 to November 19.
Shastri emphasised that the 20-year-old Varma holds a favorable position due to his status as a left-handed player.
Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri said, "I'm very impressed with Tilak Varma. Very, very impressed. And I want a left-hander. So, if I'm looking for a left-hander in the middle order, like Yuvraj Singh and before that was Suresh Raina at five, I would really look in that direction (of Varma).
1/10:Top 5: Indian batters with most runs vs Pakistan in the ODI World Cup
2/10:Sachin Tendulkar: 313 runs
<p>Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricket players of all time. He consistently performed well against Pakistan in World Cup matches. He holds the record for the most runs by an Indian batter against Pakistan in ODI WC matches.</p>
3/10:Sachin Tendulkar: 313 runs
<p>In 5 such matches, Tendulkar scored 313 runs at an average of 78.25 with 3 half-centuries and a highest score of 98.</p>Getty Images
4/10:Virat Kohli: 193 runs
<p>Virat Kohli is another modern-day batting sensation who has excelled against Pakistan in World Cup games. Known for his remarkable consistency and aggressive style of play, Kohli has accumulated significant runs in India-Pakistan encounters.</p>Getty Images
5/10:Virat Kohli: 193 runs
<p>In 3 ODI World Cup games vs Pakistan, Kohli has scored 193 runs at an average of 64.33 with a fifty and a century and a highest score of 107.</p>Getty Images
6/10:Rohit Sharma: 155 runs
<p>Known for his explosive batting at the top of the order, Rohit Sharma has entertained fans with his aggressive style against Pakistan in World Cup encounters. His ability to take on the bowlers from the very beginning of the innings has yielded impressive results.</p>Getty Images
7/10:Rohit Sharma: 155 runs
<p>In a couple of matches against the arch-rivals, Sharma has scored 155 runs at an average of 77.50 with a hundred and a highest score of 140.</p>Getty Images
8/10:Mohammad Azharuddin: 118 runs
<p>A stylish batter and a former Indian skipper, Mohammad Azharuddin was known for his elegant stroke play. He also scored crucial runs against Pakistan in World Cup matches.</p>
9/10:Mohammad Azharuddin: 118 runs
<p>In 3 matches, Azhar scored 118 runs at an average of 39.33 with a fifty.</p>
10/10:Suresh Raina: 110 runs
<p>Known for his technique and resilience, Suresh Raina made a significant impact against Pakistan in World Cup encounters. His ability to anchor the innings contributed to India's success against thei arch-rivals.</p>Getty Images"Sandy (Sandip) and MSK (Prasad) have been selectors, and if I was a selector along with my panel, I would be looking at that current form, looking at how he's getting his runs.
"So, when I look at the way he has got his runs over the last three months, whether it was for Mumbai Indians, for India, whether it was handling pressure, opposition, or different situations of the game, he has ticked all the boxes for someone so young," said Shastri.
Varma impressed everyone with his fine performances during his debut international series against the West Indies recently, scoring well in all the three T20I matches.
"When it comes to shot selection, when it comes to the range of shots, the ability to be unorthodox, he (Varma) has everything.
"So I'll be looking at him very closely because he is hot at the moment, his mindset, his confidence, he understands situations, which is for me the most important thing," the former India coach added.
1/10:Top-5: Batters with most runs vs India in the ODI World Cup
2/10:Ricky Ponting (Aus): 303 runs
<p>The former Australian captain is considered one of the greatest batters in cricket history. He has a remarkable record against India in World Cup matches, having consistently scored runs and played match-winning innings for his team.</p>
3/10:Ricky Ponting (Aus): 303 runs
<p>In 5 ODI World Cup matches against India, Ponting scored 303 runs at an average of 101 with a couple of centuries and a best score of 140* in the 2003 final.</p>
4/10:Mark Waugh (Aus): 209 runs
<p>Another former Australian batter, Mark Waugh was a dependable middle-order batter known for his grit and determination. He had a great run against India in World Cup matches, contributing significantly with the bat in crucial moments.</p>
5/10:Mark Waugh (Aus): 209 runs
<p>Against India in World Cups, Waugh scored 209 runs in a couple of matches at an average of 104.50 with a fifty and hundred.</p>
6/10:Sir Vivian Richards (WI): 197 runs
<p>The legendary West Indian batter, Sir Vivian Richards, is another name that stands out when it comes to scoring runs against India in WC matches. Richards was renowned for his explosive batting and played a crucial role in guiding West Indies to World Cup victories.</p>
7/10:Sir Vivian Richards (WI): 197 runs
<p>In 4 World Cup matches vs India, Richards scored 197 runs at an average of 65.55 with a hundred to his name.</p>
8/10:Saeed Anwar (Pakistan): 185 runs
<p>The formidable batting legend from Pakistan, Saeed Anwar had a brilliant record against India in World Cup matches. His elegant style and ability to build innings made him a tough opponent for the Indian bowlers. He consistently contributed with the bat in crucial encounters.</p>
9/10:Saeed Anwar (Pakistan): 185 runs
<p>In 3 ODI World Cup matches against India, Anwar scored 185 runs at an average of 61.66 with one century.</p>
10/10:Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh): 184 runs
<p>The veteran all-rounder from Bangladesh who will lead the side in the 2023 edition as well has had a great run against the Indians in ODI World Cup matches.</p>Getty ImagesShastri's 1983 World Cup-winning teammate Patil, who turned 67 this day, spoke highly about Varma, also bringing Suryakumar Yadav into the equation.
"100 per cent (India should hand ODI debut to Tilak Varma) I will go with Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav," Patil said.
"Who will be in the playing XI can be decided after looking at the balance and the opposition. But Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav will both be in my team," he added.
On Wednesday, Shastri had said he would include three left-handed batters in the top seven to bolster India's middle-order ahead of the Asia Cup and the subsequent World Cup.
(With inputs from PTI)
