'He's got the hunger' - Rohit Sharma opens up on Tilak Varma's ODI World Cup prospects

Tilak Varma has got his international career off to a phenomenal start, as he’s the leading run-scorer of the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies. The 20-year-old has 139 runs to his name from three innings at an average of 69.50 and a strike rate of 139. Varma has impressed the entire cricketing fraternity so much that off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has even urged the selectors to consider him as an option for the ODI World Cup 2023.

Recently, India captain Rohit Sharma also expressed his thoughts on the youngster’s performances and was mighty impressed with him. Notably, Varma burst onto the scene during IPL 2022 under the leadership of Sharma in Mumbai Indians. He finished as the second-highest run scorer of the season for his side with 397 runs to his name.

“He looks very promising. I have seen him for two years now, he has got the hunger, and that is the most important thing. In him I can see, for the age that he is of, he is quite matured. He knows his batting so well. When I speak with him I understand that the boy knows his batting – where he has to hit, what he has to do in that period,” was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Speaking further about his World Cup prospects, the Indian skipper said that he isn’t too sure about that yet, but further hailed him (Tilak Varma) for his talent.

“That is all that I will say about him, I do not know about the World Cup and all, but definitely the guy is talented and he showed it in these few games that he has played for India,” he added.

India face another must-win encounter in fourth T20I

Notably, Varma was the top scorer for India in the first two T20Is with innings of 39 (22) and 51 (41) respectively. Furthermore, he played a brilliant knock of 49* (37) in the third T20I and helped India stay alive in the series. Meanwhile, the ‘Men in Blue’ have another must-win game at hand as they lock horns with the West Indies in the fourth T20I on Saturday, August 12 at Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida.