Wasim Jaffer picks Tilak Varma to fill Virat Kohli's spot at number three

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes Tilak Varma is the ideal choice to bat at number three in one-day internationals after Virat Kohli steps down. Kohli recently stated that the 2027 World Cup will be his final tournament for the national team, creating a massive vacancy in that crucial batting spot.

Jaffer's View

Jaffer praised Varma for his flexibility, noting how well the left-handed batter has adjusted to playing at numbers five and six after previously scoring a century at number three. Jaffer pointed out that Varma has a first-class batting average of about fifty-five and performed strongly in the Duleep Trophy, making him capable of playing across all three formats smoothly.

Kohli's Plans

Speaking to broadcaster JioStar on Saturday, thirty-seven-year-old Kohli confirmed that the next World Cup will be his last appearance in India colours. He expressed his drive to give everything on the field to win the trophy. This upcoming tournament will mark his fifth one-day World Cup. He also noted that the level of competition in a fifty-over World Cup brings a massive challenge, comparing the pressure of the ten games to twenty-over cricket.

Abhishek Sharma

Jaffer also discussed Abhishek Sharma, highlighting how the young batter has grown up in his game recently. According to Jaffer, Sharma now takes a bit of time to settle in instead of trying to hit a six off the very first ball, realizing that his previous style was not ideal for long-term success.

Context

Finding a successor for legendary batters like Virat Kohli is one of the toughest challenges for any cricket team, especially given his long-term dominance at the number three spot. Experts often look at domestic performers with strong first-class records, such as high batting averages in events like the Duleep Trophy, to spot players who can handle international pressure.