New Delhi: Prior to the Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup later this year, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer has argued for the inclusion of young batsman Tilak Varma in the ODI side. Jaffer praised the batter for his maturity and confidence during his debut international series against the West Indies.

Tilak won fans over in his first series in the West Indies with his mature on-the-crease performances, remaining at the crease in trying circumstances, and challenging bowlers in challenging batting conditions.

He has the most goals in this WI series, which India is currently losing 2-1. He has one half-century, a strike rate of 139, and 139 runs in three games at an average of 69.50. His highest rating is 139.

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"In these three innings, there was no one else as mature, consistent and assured in his strokeplay than Tilak Varma. He is very young and for him to come out and bat in certain situations, an absolute delight to see. He came out with the rain coming in and there were talks that it might go to Duckworth-Lewis," said Wasim in a video.

"He came out and attacked the first 2-3 balls. It goes on to show how tuned in he is with the team's demand and the game sense that he has got. That is very refreshing to see. Then how he controlled the innings with Suryakumar Yadav going hammer and tongs from the other end, he played his part so beautifully. He finished the game. It is so nice seeing a young guy finish the game," he added.

Jaffer advocated for Tilak's ODI inclusion, stating that he wouldn't be shocked to see Tilak if KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer weren't able to get healthy in time for the Asia Cup and the World Cup.

"If at all India needs a batter to look at in 50 overs, I would not be surprised if it's Tilak Varma. The kind of maturity that he has shown, I will be happy to see him coming into the ODI mix also. There are talks that Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are not ready yet. Why not throw in a youngster like Tilak Varma? He has shown a lot of maturity and [gives] that left-hander option. We have been looking for a top-order left-hander. Why not Tilak Varma?," he concluded.

Tilak has been MI's best acquisition of the decade of the 2020s. He scored 397 runs in 14 matches during his rookie season in 2022, which saw MI finish last, at an average of 36.09 and a strike rate of 131.02.

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His two half-centuries included a top score of 61. He scored 343 runs in 11 matches during his second season with the Blue and Gold team this year at an average of 42.88 and a strike rate of more than 164. He played a valiant 84* against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for his only half-century.

Tilak has participated in 48 T20 matches in total, amassing 1,557 runs at a strike rate of over 142 and an average of 38.092. In the format, he has 11 half-centuries, with an average score of 84*. He plays cricket for Hyderabad at the local level.

In 25 List-A games he has participated in, he has amassed 1,236 runs at an average of 56.18 and a strike rate of just over 101. In 25 innings, he has five centuries and fifty.

Tilak has also taken part in nine games of first-class cricket, where he has accumulated 523 runs at an average of 37.35. In 15 innings, he has recorded a century, two fifty-sixes, and a best score of 121.

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