IND vs AFG 2024: He is capable of playing an integral role for Indian side in white-ball cricket – Saba Karim on Tilak Varma

Former Indian wicket-keeper bat Saba Karim reckons Tilak Varma is capable of playing an integral role for the Indian side in white-ball cricket. Varma has impressed with his batting skills in the middle order and has certainly shown that he is the future of Indian batting.

Varma has scored 310 runs in 15 T20I matches at an average of 34.4 whereas he has managed only 68 runs in four ODIs. The left-hander had got off to a promising start in his T20I career against the West Indies in 2023 but he has slightly veered off the track in the recent past.

Varma had returned with scores of 39, 51, and 49* in his first three matches of his International career.

Speaking with Sports18, Saba Karim said, “I think he is capable of playing an integral role for this Indian side in white-ball cricket. That’s the vision of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid. They need to bring in youngsters, especially left-handers.”

The former Indian selector revealed it is important to invest in left-handers as they can disturb the rhythm of the opposition bowlers.

“It really adds depth and offers more variations to the Indian side. It actually provides a lot of headaches to the opposition. So that is one reason why Rahul Dravid has insisted on investing in such left-handers.”

On the other hand, Varma can roll his arm over as he can bowl decent off-spin. The youngster has taken two wickets in his short T20I career and he can chip in a few overs.

“On top of that, his ability to bowl right-arm off-spin. You need somebody in the Indian lineup from No. 1 to No. 6 who can also roll his arm over and double up as a sixth bowler whenever it is required, and Tilak Varma is capable of doing that.”

Karim is hopeful that Varma can be a multi-format player for India in the coming years.

“I am really eager to see Tilak Varma’s progress in international cricket. I reckon that in years to come, he can be a multi-format player for India, with the kind of technique he has and the skills he has shown.”

Varma will be seen in action in the first T20I against Afghanistan at Mohali on Thursday.