Rohit Sharma breaks silence as Ashwin and former India cricketers call for Tilak Varma's ODI World Cup team inclusion

Rohit Sharma is off to a flying start in his international career. Tilak has not only proven his worth on the biggest stage after creating a storm in IPL over the last two seasons and emerging as the only positive from the team's otherwise hot and cold batting show, but the youngster has forced the Indian cricket fraternity to rethink their ODI World Cup plans.

It is unlikely that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee will take such a drastic step as to overlook their options so far, and so close to the World Cup, that he will be named to the XI, let alone the squad, but veteran Indian cricketers such as Ravichandran Ashwin have urged the BCCI to consider him as a possibility. Among the din, India captain Rohit Sharma broke his silence.

Veteran Indian cricketers have asked selectors to put Tilak Varma in the Indian team for the ODI World Cup.
Veteran Indian cricketers have asked selectors to put Tilak Varma in the Indian team for the ODI World Cup.

Tilak made his debut for the Mumbai Indians under Rohit in 2022 and has since established himself as one of the tournament's greatest young players. In barely two years, he not only cemented his spot in the MI middle order, but he was also endorsed by numerous cricket pundits to make the Indian side.

Finally, in July, he was named to the Indian T20I team for the West Indies trip and the Asian Games squad before earning his first cap in the series opener.

He hit a brilliant 25-ball 39 in the first game, then his maiden international fifty in the second before being denied a second successive half-century when he was left stranded at 49* in the third T20I.

While his performances made him the standout player in India's topsy-turvy T20I run, veteran cricketers were impressed by his ability to read situations and show maturity in dealing with match scenarios, with many calling for his inclusion in the Indian World Cup team for the 50-over event.

Rohit Sharma on Tilak Varma's World Cup inclusion

While Rohit did not reveal his World Cup strategy, he was full of admiration for the kid.

"He appears to be quite promising. "I've known him for two years, and the most important thing is that he's hungry," Rohit remarked. "I can see in him that he is quite matured for his age." He is an expert at batting.

When I speak with him, I get the impression that he understands his hitting - where he needs to hit and what he has to accomplish during that time.

"That's all I'll say about him; I'm not sure about the World Cup and all, but the guy is talented, and he showed it in these few games for India," he continued.