Sourav Ganguly Backs Tilak Varma to be India's No.4 In the absence of Shreyas Iyer

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly claimed that the promising left-hander Tilak Varma should be India's choice for the No 4 batsman at the ICC World Cup 2023 if Shreyas Iyer is not available. The 20-year-old left-hander made an impressive 22-ball 39 on his T20I debut against the West Indies, followed by scores of 51 and 49 not out in his next two outings. Shreyas has been recovering and practicing at the NCA after surgery on his injured back. Ganguly said the Indian team should be a mix of experienced players and fresh faces.

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"Who said we don't have a No. 4? We have so many (batsmen) who can bat at that spot. I think differently; my mindset is different. This is a fantastic side," Ganguly said on the sidelines of a Denver event. "I see Tilak Varma as an option, being a left-hander," Ganguly said.

Ganguly believes that the left-handed trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma can play some amazing cricket and they should be picked when selectors announce India's World Cup squad before the September 5 deadline.

"He (Tilak) is a very good young player, not with much experience, but it does not matter. I also want to see the young left-hander (Jaiswal) in the side at the top of the order. He has enormous ability and he's fearless. So, this is a great side," said Ganguly.

"It has to be a team of experienced people. They can go and play fearless cricket. Rahul (Dravid), Rohit and the selectors have plenty of choices; they just have to identify and pick the best XI," he concluded.