WI vs IND 2023: He is someone who can serve the team for a long time – Robin Uthappa backs Tilak Varma for ODI World Cup

Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has put his weight behind Tilak Varma to be selected for the ODI World Cup. Varma made an impressive start to his T20I career in the five-match series against the West Indies. The left-hander was India’s leading run-getter of the series with 173 runs at an average of 57.67 and a strike rate of 140.65.

Varma has scored 1236 runs in 25 List A matches at an impressive average of 56.18 with the help of five centuries and as many fifties while playing for Hyderabad. Ergo, Varma could be considered for the ODI team before the World Cup.

The youngster has scored 740 runs in 25 IPL matches for Mumbai Indians at an average of 38.95 and a blistering strike rate of 144.53 while playing under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma.

“Yeah. Certainly, he will be discussed by the selectors as well, because you want to look at someone who can serve the team for a long time. He seems like he’s got a pretty good head on his shoulders, and he goes about his business in a very diligent way,” said Uthappa on JioCinema.

Uthappa said Varma looks in control when is at the crease and plays responsibly, which is a big positive for the team.

“We know that he’s someone who can be responsible. And even today, the kind of partnership he stitched up after the first two wickets fell, you saw him taking on responsibility, which is quite nice,” added Uthappa.

On the other hand, Uthappa also showered praise on Varma after he got the big wicket of Nicholas Pooran in the deciding T20I game of the series.

“Then when you get the ball, like, you know, I’ll try and go for it. Try and get a wicket. He got a wicket. He almost got two; he would’ve, had he taken that catch, the return catch. In that sense, the stuff is there. And the fact that he’s a left-hander,” said Uthappa.

With the inclusion of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer uncertain for the World Cup due to their respective injuries, Tilak Varma will definitely be in the fray for the mega event.