‘Zyada jaldi nahi ho gaya?’ – Fans react as Ravi Shastri backs young India batter at No. 4 for ODI World Cup 2023

The ODI World Cup is exactly 50 days away and the excitement has been high in the buildup to Cricket’s biggest event. India will be hosting the megaevent this year, slated to take place between October 5 and November 19. The opener will be a rematch of the previous edition’s final between England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The world’s largest stadium will also host the marquee clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan and also the famous match-up between Australia and England. Moreover, the final on November 19 will also take place in the same venue.

Talking about Team India’s preparations for the World Cup, former Indian skipper and head coach Ravi Shastri backed young batter Tilak Varma for the number four spot in the middle order. Notably, the no. 4 has been a major issue for India with star players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul still awaiting confirmation on match-fitness. As such, having a backup option would be handy. According to Shastri, that role belongs to Varma. He has been a find in the Indian Premier League 2023 for Mumbai Indians and has also impressed immensely in the recent T20I series against West Indies.

‘Very, very impressed with Tilak Varma’ – Ravi Shastri

“There are three other positions where I think two left-handers have to come in, apart from the top four you mentioned. Now this is where the selectors’ role comes in because they are watching. They know who’s the guy who’s hot. If Tilak Varma is hot, bring him in. If you think Yashasvi Jaiswal is hot, bring him in,” Shastri said on Star Sports.

“So, if you have persisted with Ishan Kishan for the last 6 to 8 months and he’s going to keep wickets, he comes in, in any case. But get two left-handers. Including Jaddu, there should be three left-handers in the top seven. Ishan Kishan has been keeping it for the last 15 months. Why go somewhere else? Very, very impressed with Tilak Varma. And I want a left-hander. If I am looking for a left-hander, I would really look in that direction,” Shastri concluded.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/RAGHAVE21202851/status/1691634822912098668