India names Tilak Varma as Iyer backup for 2027 ODI World Cup

The Indian cricket team's management and selection committee have identified young left-handed batter Tilak Varma as the primary middle-order backup for Shreyas Iyer in one-day internationals, as part of long-term planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar are actively preparing for the tournament, which is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

While Iyer remains the first-choice number four batter, the team management wants a reliable cover who can handle pace, play spin comfortably, and provide valuable part-time offspin overs. Tilak, the 23-year-old T20I vice-captain, fits this profile. His left-handed batting offers tactical variety to a top order dominated by right-handers like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Iyer. Furthermore, the team has asked him to develop his offspin bowling, which is regarded as having considerable potential.

This planning is driven by concerns over Iyer's fitness and the age profile of several senior players. Iyer has faced recurring back problems, and his game against pace and bounce is considered untested following an injury in Australia. The team also has...