Tilak Varma is an India player in near future: Ravi Shastri

The Indian Premier League, over the years, has been a huge platform for uncapped players to find themselves a spot in the Indian national team. They put up impressive performances and keep the selectors on the edge of their seats. This year too, there have been quite a few players who have made a mark at the tournament, and Ravi Shastri believes that one of them could soon be seen in India colors.

Since the previous edition of the tournament, Mumbai Indians’ Tilak Varma has shown tremendous skills with the bat. Though Mumbai finished with a wooden spoon last year, the 20-year-old did not fail to impress. This year too, he has started from where he left off and has put up some thrilling performances, making former India head coach Ravi Shastri believe that his India call-up is not far.

At the ongoing IPL 2023, Varma has been a part of all the games for Mumbai and has managed to score 217 runs in six games at an impressive strike rate of 156.12. Varma walked into this year’s IPL campaign on the back of a successful domestic season, and he has kept up with the momentum. According to Shastri, the MI batter has improved greatly since the previous tournament, and it’s just a matter of time before Tilak starts banging on doors to join the Indian team.

“The standout player is Tilak Varma. I said in the second or third game of the commentary that he’s an India player in near future. He will be banging that door down. He’s got that all-round ability, not just to finish off at the end, but the clarity of thought as well. When he comes out to bat, what impresses me the most is his first 10 balls, he’s not afraid to take his chances and back his strength,” Shastri told ESPNCricinfo.

He looked very good last year, but he’s looking better this year: Shastri

After Mumbai Indians’ victory over the Sunrisers Hyderabad last week, Rohit Sharma lavished praises on Tilak Varma, and made a huge statement saying the youngster has a long way to go, and that he will soon be seen playing for some different team. Rohit’s statement made everyone believe that Varma is not far away from his India debut, and Shastri believes the same.

“Rohit said a very good line at presentation in this one game. He said Tilak doesn’t play the bowler, he plays the ball. He’s not worried about the reputation, in the sense that he’s not overawed. He plays what’s on offer, irrespective of the name, which is there for everyone to see. He’s got a wide range of shots, the temperament, he looked very good last year, but he’s looking better this year. You watch for players who improve,” Shastri added.