3 Indian batters who could break into the ODI team

2. Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma is a 23-year-old left-handed batting all-rounder who has become a regular in India's T20I setup. He made his T20I debut on August 3, 2023 against West Indies and has since played 49 T20Is, scoring 1,390 runs at an average of 44.83, with two centuries and six fifties. His last T20I was on September 17, 2026 against Afghanistan.

In the Duleep Trophy, Tilak led South Zone and scored two centuries and one fifty, underlining his appetite for runs in red-ball cricket as well. In the Asian Games, he scored an unbeaten fifty against Pakistan to help India retain the gold medal. His List A record stands at 47 matches, 1,867 runs and an average of 46.67, with six centuries and ten fifties. Despite having played five ODIs for India, including one fifty, Tilak has not yet nailed down a regular spot in the 50-over side. His recent form across formats makes him a strong contender for more ODI opportunities.