Tilak Varma identified as potential Virat Kohli successor

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has identified Tilak Varma as a potential successor to Virat Kohli in the Indian One Day International (ODI) lineup. Jaffer suggests that once Kohli retires, Varma is well-suited to occupy the number three batting position, noting the strategic advantage of having a left-handed batter in that role.

Jaffer praised Varma’s versatility, highlighting his ability to perform across various batting positions, including the third, fifth, and sixth spots. He cited Varma’s first-class average of approximately 55 and his performances in the Duleep Trophy as evidence of his readiness for all three formats of the game.

These comments follow Varma’s performance in the Asian Games 2026 final against Pakistan, where he scored an unbeaten 51 off 22 balls to help India secure the gold medal. Additionally, Jaffer commended Abhishek Sharma for his increased maturity as a batter, noting that Sharma has refined his approach to include more calculated play rather than attempting to hit big shots immediately.