• IND vs BAN, Asia Cup 2023: Tilak Verma Makes ODI Debut For India Against Bangladesh

    Sports
    IND vs BAN, Asia Cup 2023: Tilak Verma Makes ODI Debut For India Against Bangladesh

    Middle-order batter Tilak Varma made his highly-anticipated One Day International (ODI) debut today as...

    Digital Desk: Middle-order batter Tilak Varma made his highly-anticipated One Day International (ODI) debut today as India squared off against Bangladesh in their final Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023. The 20-year-old was handed his ODI cap by none other than the captain, Rohit Sharma, during the team huddle, marking a memorable start to his international career.


    Tilak Varma's inclusion in India's 17-man squad for the Asia Cup was met with intrigue, as he had not previously played in ODI cricket. However, his impressive T20I debut in the West Indies back in August, where he showcased both his batting prowess and handy bowling skills, prompted the selection committee to include him as a backup middle-order option, considering potential injury concerns.


    While Varma missed out on selection in India's ODI World Cup provisional squad, his opportunity today underscores the team's commitment to nurturing talent and keeping backup options ready for the upcoming quadrennial event.


    India, having already secured their spot in the Asia Cup final, decided to test their bench strength against Bangladesh. Skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bowl, aiming to challenge his team by chasing a target under the lights, following their earlier successes while batting first against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.


    With the likes of Virat Kohli, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and vice-captain Hardik Pandya rested for this dead-rubber match, India gave opportunities to Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Prasidh Krishna, and Shardul Thakur, further emphasizing their depth of talent.


    Tilak Varma's inclusion and subsequent debut serve as a testament to India's commitment to developing young cricketing talents and maintaining a robust bench ahead of the Asia Cup final and the much-anticipated ODI World Cup. Additionally, Varma's participation in the upcoming Asian Games as part of Ruturaj Gaikwad's squad promises to be another exciting chapter in his budding career.