The road to the ICC World Cup 2027 has already started for Team India, and Tilak Varma could be part of the selectors’ plans. They are not only focusing on the first-choice players but are also working on a strong bench for the tournament in South Africa.

India have several good batters, but the team management wants reliable backup options for the middle order. According to a report by The Times of India, the selectors are considering Varma as a possible backup for Shreyas Iyer. However, they also want the 23-year-old to improve his off-spin.

The plan is for Varma to become a useful part-time bowler who can potentially bowl four overs in an ODI if needed.

Why is Team India looking at an extra bowling option?

The current Indian Cricket Team has several right-handed batters in its ODI setup. At the same time, India do not have a fully fit fast-bowling all-rounder who can regularly give the team balance.

Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy have both faced fitness issues. Their long-term availability could therefore become an important factor for the selectors.

So, what will happen if one of them is unavailable during the ODI World Cup 2027?

This is where the Varma option becomes interesting.

A BCCI source explained the thinking behind the move:

“Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn’t any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy being prone to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI.”

The selectors do not want to turn Varma into a frontline spinner. Instead, they want him to become a reliable part-time bowling option who can give India a few useful overs when needed.

This could also give India more flexibility in the lower-middle order if the team loses early wickets.

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Could the experiment happen in New Zealand?

India’s all-format tour of New Zealand in October could become the next big test for this plan.

The selectors could get a better idea about their ODI combinations during that tour. The upcoming home ODI series against the West Indies may not offer the same opportunity because several players could miss the series due to the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.

India have already tried a similar approach.

Earlier this year, Ishan Kishan moved ahead of Shreyas Iyer in the batting order because India wanted a left-handed batter in the combination. India have also used Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in roles where they can contribute with both the bat and the ball.

Could Varma become another solution to the same problem?

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Why is Tilak Varma ahead of Gaikwad and Padikkal?

The selection picture becomes more interesting when we look at the other options.

Ruturaj Gaikwad was previously ahead of Varma in the pecking order. However, the selectors are reportedly not considering him at the moment because they do not want to pick a batter who would have to bat outside his usual position.

Gaikwad scored a century when Iyer was injured. He was also selected as a backup when Shubman Gill suffered an injury. However, his role as a top-order batter appears to have worked against him in this particular selection discussion.

Devdutt Padikkal is another option.

The left-handed batter has an excellent List A cricket record. He averages 82.23 in the format. However, he usually opens the batting in domestic one-day cricket.

That could make his selection difficult if India specifically want a middle-order backup.

Varma offers a different profile.

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Tilak Varma numbers make the case

Varma has played only five ODIs for India so far. He has scored 68 runs in four innings. His best performance came against South Africa in 2023, when he scored a half-century, as per Cricinfo.

His latest ODI appearance came against South Africa last year. He bowled three overs in that match and conceded 29 runs.

His domestic record, however, gives the selectors plenty to like.

The youngster averages 47.60 in List A cricket. He has scored 2,142 runs from 50 innings, including six centuries and 14 fifties.

With the ball, he has taken 11 wickets at an average of 38.81. He has also produced strong bowling performances, including a four-wicket haul against Haryana in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

His recent performances for India A have also helped his case.

While leading India A on the Sri Lanka tour, Varma finished as India’s highest run-scorer. He ended the series just one run ahead of Gaikwad.

He scored 275 runs in five innings at an average of 55. His performances included four half-centuries.

Is this the start of a World Cup audition?

That may be the biggest question surrounding Varma right now.

Being considered as a backup does not mean that he has secured a place in India’s ICC World Cup 2027 squad.

There is still a lot of cricket to be played before the tournament. Several established players will also compete for the same positions.

However, the selectors appear to be thinking beyond India’s first-choice XI.

They want players who can solve more than one problem. Varma can bat in the middle order and is also working on his off-spin. That could make him a valuable option for India.

If he improves his bowling and delivers consistent performances in ODIs over the next year, the Tilak Varma experiment could become much more important than a short-term selection move.

For now, the message from the selectors is clear. India’s preparations for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 have already started, and the race for the backup spots could be just as interesting as the fight for the first-choice XI.

What are your thoughts? Will Tilak Varma play in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2027? Comment your thoughts and prediction below.

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