For the upcoming ODI World Cup next year, the Indian squad has begun working on a backup plan. The main focus is on the middle order, where they are searching for a replacement for Shreyas Iyer. Tilak Verma is involved in this search. The team management and selectors are considering preparing Tilak as Iyer's reserve in the top six. Since he is a left-hander, Tilak can bring the necessary balance to the current batting lineup. Furthermore, the management is interested in developing his spin bowling to make him a useful option as a bowler when needed.
According to a TOI report, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill believe that there is currently no suitable middle-order backup player who can be trusted in a major tournament. The biggest concern is the presence of all-rounders. Given the fitness issues of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the team needs a player who can not only bat in the top six but also bowl around four overs if necessary. Recently, the team has had to elevate Axar Patel or Washington Sundar in the attack to maintain squad balance. Now, the management aims to avoid such compromises.
The Indian top order is predominantly composed of right-handed batsmen. Therefore, including Tilak Verma could pose a challenge to opponents regarding change of angle and bowling strategy. The team management is also seriously considering his spin bowling. If Tilak consistently works on his bowling game and becomes a reliable option for four to five overs, he could prove very useful in ODI combinations.
Selectors are now focusing on preparing batsmen according to their natural role, rather than playing them at different positions as needed. Last year, Rituraj Gaikwad played at number four and scored a century against South Africa in Raipur, but he has not featured in the ODI squad since. The management believes it is much better to prepare a player in the role they occupied at the top. For this reason, Devdhadh Patdikala tries not to rush into the ODI system.
The upcoming Croatian World Cup will take place on the African continent, so the team management wants to prepare options in advance, considering the conditions there. The ability of batsmen to handle fast bowling and bounce is also an important part of the team's plan. There are discussions within the management regarding Shreyas Iyer's weakness against short balls, as he sustained an injury during the tour in Australia last year. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in the later stages of their careers, and KL Rahul will also exceed 35 years old by the World Cup.
Ravindra Jadeja is also not considered a guaranteed selection in the team. Fitness issues have affected his fielding as well. Therefore, selectors want some options to be fully ready before the major tournament. Preparation for the World Cup will become clearer after the tour in New Zealand in October. Until then, many stars will be unable to participate in the three-match ODI series against West Indies starting September 27. This is because India's strong T20 team will travel to Japan for the Asian Games at that time. Consequently, the probability of youngsters and reserve players getting a chance in the series against West Indies is higher. In this series, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Verma, Ishan Kishan, and Axar Patel will also be unavailable, forcing selectors to pay special attention to preparing an additional wicketkeeper.