In a significant development for Indian cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, commencing on November 30. This announcement has generated considerable buzz, not just for the return of key players like Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, but particularly for the inclusion of young southpaw Tilak Varma. The decision to pick Varma has been met with strong approval from former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who believes the youngster’s ‘stock’ has significantly risen and that he is an ideal candidate for the crucial number four batting position.

The Squad Shake-Up and New Opportunities

The squad, which will be led by KL Rahul in the absence of regular captain Shubman Gill (due to a neck injury), sees a mix of experience and burgeoning talent. Star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant makes a much-anticipated comeback to the ODI setup, alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad. Veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also returns, having missed the preceding Australia tour. However, it’s the absence of India’s established ODI number four, Shreyas Iyer, due to injury, that has opened a critical slot and paved the way for Tilak Varma’s ODI call-up.

This situation presents a golden opportunity for Varma to transition his impressive T20 form into the longer white-ball format. The selectors’ decision to entrust him with a place in the squad for such a high-profile series against a formidable opponent like South Africa underscores their confidence in his abilities and potential to fill a vital role in the middle order.

Irfan Pathan’s Strong Endorsement: ‘His Stock Should Have Gone Up’

Irfan Pathan, a keen observer of young talent, has been vocal about his belief in Tilak Varma’s capabilities. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan unequivocally stated that Varma’s value, or ‘stock’, should have seen a considerable increase following his stellar performance in the ‘Asia Cup 2025 final heroics against Pakistan in September this year’. Pathan recounted the ‘thrilling T20I clash’ where Varma, batting at number four, played a match-winning innings of ’69 not out’ to secure India a ‘five-wicket win’.

The Significance of the Asia Cup Heroics

Pathan’s emphasis on this particular performance is telling. A match-winning knock against arch-rivals Pakistan, especially in a final and while chasing under pressure, is often seen as a significant indicator of a player’s temperament and ability to perform on the big stage. For a young player like Varma, such an innings not only boosts personal confidence but also sends a strong message to the national selectors about his big-match temperament. Pathan’s comments, ‘After that, his stock should’ve gone up. He is a player who can do very well in the ODI format,’ highlight the belief that Varma has already proven his mettle in high-stakes situations.

The Pivotal Number Four Role in ODIs

The number four batting position in One Day International cricket is widely regarded as one of the most demanding and crucial in the lineup. It acts as a bridge between the aggressive top order and the finishers, requiring a player who can adapt to various match situations – whether it’s rebuilding after early wickets, accelerating the run rate, or anchoring an innings. India, in particular, has often grappled with finding a consistent and reliable option for this spot, making Varma’s potential deployment there a significant strategic move.

Pathan acknowledges the differences between formats but sees Varma’s attributes as transferable. While he admitted, ‘Ideally, I would like to see him play higher up in T20s at number three,’ he added that ‘if he plays at number four in ODIs, that is fine too.’ This flexibility in perspective underscores Varma’s versatility as a middle-order batter.

Tilak Varma’s Attributes: A Perfect Fit for the ODI Middle Order?

Irfan Pathan meticulously outlined the qualities that make Tilak Varma a strong candidate for the ODI format, particularly at number four:

• Ability to Settle and Handle Pressure: Pathan noted, ‘He takes time to settle and handles pressure well, which we have seen in recent performances.’ This attribute is paramount for a number four, who might walk in with the team in trouble or need to build a substantial partnership before accelerating.
• Left-Handed Advantage: ‘He is a left-handed batter,’ Pathan pointed out. A left-hander in the middle order provides crucial variety and balance to a predominantly right-handed batting lineup, disrupting opposition bowlers’ rhythm and field settings.
• Strong Running Between the Wickets: Pathan highlighted Varma’s skill in ‘running between the wickets.’ This is a non-negotiable trait in modern ODI cricket, essential for rotating the strike, converting singles into twos, and putting pressure on the fielding side.
• Effective Power-Hitting Under Pressure: ‘Uses shots like the slog sweep effectively when under pressure,’ according to Pathan. While primarily a T20 shot, the slog sweep can be a potent weapon against spin in ODIs, allowing a batter to break free and maintain scoring momentum even in tight situations.

These attributes collectively paint a picture of a player who possesses the temperament, technical skills, and tactical awareness required to thrive in the demanding ODI environment.

Looking Ahead: The South Africa Challenge

The upcoming series against South Africa will be a crucial testing ground for Tilak Varma. Playing against a strong Proteas attack on their home soil will provide invaluable experience and a stern examination of his ODI credentials. His performance will not only be key to India’s success in the series but also instrumental in shaping his future trajectory in international cricket, especially with an eye on future World Cup cycles.

India’s ODI squad vs South Africa:

Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.

The selectors’ faith in Varma, backed by an experienced voice like Irfan Pathan, suggests that Indian cricket is keen on nurturing young talent with a focus on long-term sustainability. The stage is set for Tilak Varma to prove that his ‘stock’ has indeed soared and that he is ready to take on the challenges of ODI cricket at the highest level.

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