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The recent unveiling of the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) men’s squad for the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2023 has generated fervent discussion among cricket enthusiasts and experts alike. While the return of stalwarts KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer has grabbed headlines, the inclusion of emerging batting prodigy Tilak Varma sparked significant attention and curiosity.
Varma, who set the stage ablaze with his remarkable performances for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has earned his spot in the Asia Cup squad as a testament to his burgeoning success in T20 internationals.
The left-handed batting sensation’s international debut against the West Indies on August 3 garnered considerable praise, with Varma amassing an impressive 174 runs at a commanding strike rate of 138.09 across the enthralling 5-match series.
Also READ: India’s best playing XI for the Asia Cup 2023
“It is a big thing for me”: Varma on being picked in Asia Cup Squad
In the wake of his inclusion in the prestigious Asia Cup squad, Varma candidly expressed his emotions about the remarkable journey he is embarking upon. He revealed his aspiration to play One Day International (ODI) cricket but never fathomed that his debut would coincide with the Asia Cup tournament.
“I never dreamed that I would be debuting directly in the Asia Cup, and that too in the one-day side. I was always dreaming that I would be debuting for India in ODIs. But it is a big thing for me. And I always dreamed of this, like debuting for India in ODIs, that too, in like, a single year, I got my T20I debut and suddenly, in the next month, I’m just getting a call for the Asia Cup. So yeah, it is one of my dreams and I’m just preparing for it,” Varma shared in a video interview hosted by BCCI.TV.
With an air of confidence, Varma also addressed his readiness to transition into the realm of one-day cricket. He emphasized his extensive experience in List A cricket, where he has consistently excelled for his state team. His proficiency in this format has instilled in him the belief that he can make a substantial impact in ODIs as well.
“I’m pretty confident about playing one-day cricket because I have played ODI cricket for long as you said, like in the List A cricket. I have done well in List A cricket for my state and the teams also have done well, so I’m pretty confident that I can do well in ODIs, so I’m looking forward to it,” Varma added.
