Tilak Varma can be No. 4 batter for India in ODI World Cup if Shreyas Iyer isn't available: Sourav Ganguly

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Kolkata, Aug 18: Former India captain and legendary batter Sourav Ganguly has backed Team India to pick promising left-handed batter Tilak Varma as the number four batter at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 if Shreyas Iyer isn't completely fit for selection.

Iyer has been the first-choice number four batter for India in the 50-over format but he is yet to recover from the surgery of his injured back. The Mumbaikar is recuperating at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru after undergoing surgery.

Tilak Varma could be No. 4 for India: Ganguly

While Iyer's availability for the World Cup 2023 is subject to fitness, but Ganguly reckons there are several options for Team India for the crucial number four slot in the upcoming marquee tournament.

While interacting with media persons in Kolkata, on the sidelines of a product launch, Ganguly - who is hailed as one of the best left-handed batters of all time - said, "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."

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. Highlighting Varma's adaptability and fearless approach, Ganguly - who was given the nickname of 'God of Offside' by former India teammate Rahul Dravid - said, "I see Tilak Varma as an option, being a left-hander."

Back-up openers for India in ODI World Cup

Ganguly further mentioned that the left-handed trio of Yashasvi Jaiswal (back-up opener), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper-batter), and Varma can play fearless 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.

Ganguly even claimed Team India should have a mix of experienced players and fresh faces. "It has to be a team of experience and people who don't have any scars - like Jaiswal, Varma, Ishan Kishan. 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 said.

Jasprit Bumrah at his best: Ganguly

Senior India pacer Jasprit Bumrah returned to the national side after a long injury lay-off of more than 11 months and the former BCCI chief termed it as a welcome development. Bumrah is currently leading India against Ireland in a three-match T20I series in Dublin.

"I've spoken to some players at the NCA, and they said he's at his best...Bumrah was bowling at almost 90 miles per hour the other day. That's great news for Indian cricket," he added.

Ganguly, who captained India in the 2003 World Cup where the Men in Blue finished runners-up, has lauded India's current crop of a good bowling unit going into the marquee tournament.

"With Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami, (Mohammed) Siraj, they have a fantastic attack to go with (Ravindra) Jadeja, Axar (Patel), Kuldeep (Yadav); they have enormous talent. How can that team be unsettled?" he stated.

"It's just that they played new players in the West Indies and you will see that by the time the World Cup comes, and when they pick the team, it will be a top side. It's about how you play during that tournament," said Ganguly.

(With PTI inputs)