'It's about time': Wasim Jaffer backs left-haned batter as Virat Kohli's replacement at No.3 in ODIs
toi
newspoint|05-10-2026
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes Tilak Varma could be a suitable option to take over from Virat Kohli at No. 3 in India’s ODI batting order after the 2027 World Cup.
Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 edition will be his last ODI World Cup for India, meaning the team will have to find a replacement at No. 3, a position he has held for many years. It will be a major vacancy in the top order, one that India has not had to address for around 15 years.
Jaffer feels Tilak has the skills to take up the role, pointing to his ability to bat at different positions in T20Is and his record in first-class cricket.
“It feels great to see his versatility. He previously scored a century at No. 3, and now he has adapted to the No. 5 and No. 6 positions so beautifully. This is an amazing quality," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
Jaffer also believes India could have a left-handed batter at No. 3 once Kohli and Rohit Sharma move on, with Yashasvi Jaiswal potentially taking over from Rohit at the top of the order.
“It’s about time. When Virat and Rohit leave, Rohit, obviously, is a top-order batter, and Yashasvi Jaiswal is there to replace him, but I feel there will be a left-handed batter in Virat’s place. He has that game; we saw the way he scored runs in the Duleep Trophy. His first-class average is around 55. So, he can fit into all three formats pretty easily," he added.
Tilak, however, has limited experience in ODIs. He has played only four matches for India, batting twice at No. 3 and once each at No. 4 and No. 5. He has scored 68 runs at an average of 22.67.
His last ODI came in December 2025 against South Africa. It was also the series in which Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4 and scored a century.
Whoever eventually replaces Kohli will have a difficult task.
His last ODI came in December 2025 against South Africa. It was also the series in which Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4 and scored a century.
Whoever eventually replaces Kohli will have a difficult task.
Kohli has confirmed that the 2027 edition will be his last ODI World Cup for India, meaning the team will have to find a replacement at No. 3, a position he has held for many years. It will be a major vacancy in the top order, one that India has not had to address for around 15 years.
Jaffer feels Tilak has the skills to take up the role, pointing to his ability to bat at different positions in T20Is and his record in first-class cricket.
“It feels great to see his versatility. He previously scored a century at No. 3, and now he has adapted to the No. 5 and No. 6 positions so beautifully. This is an amazing quality," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
Jaffer also believes India could have a left-handed batter at No. 3 once Kohli and Rohit Sharma move on, with Yashasvi Jaiswal potentially taking over from Rohit at the top of the order.
“It’s about time. When Virat and Rohit leave, Rohit, obviously, is a top-order batter, and Yashasvi Jaiswal is there to replace him, but I feel there will be a left-handed batter in Virat’s place. He has that game; we saw the way he scored runs in the Duleep Trophy. His first-class average is around 55. So, he can fit into all three formats pretty easily," he added.
Tilak, however, has limited experience in ODIs. He has played only four matches for India, batting twice at No. 3 and once each at No. 4 and No. 5. He has scored 68 runs at an average of 22.67.
His last ODI came in December 2025 against South Africa. It was also the series in which Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4 and scored a century.
Whoever eventually replaces Kohli will have a difficult task.
His last ODI came in December 2025 against South Africa. It was also the series in which Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4 and scored a century.
Whoever eventually replaces Kohli will have a difficult task.
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