Why India must include Tilak Varma as middle-order batter in Champions Trophy 2025 squad

India needs to have a strong squad for Champions Trophy 2025 if they want to lift the title for the third time. And in order to do so, the team must ensure that they have a good bench strength, just in case the side is dealt with any injury or setback. In their quest to strengthen the middle-order, Rohit Sharma and co. should include big-hitter Tilak Varma in the squad for the marquee tournament. Undoubtedly, he is one of the most lethal batters among the emerging stars and warrants for a place in the side.

India must take Tilak Varma along for Champions Trophy 2025

Tilak Varma has already made his debut in the 50-over format of the game, having played his first game in 2023. The Mumbai Indians batter has been prolific with the bat, especially in the shortest format of the game, and surely has the ability to step up and deliver when needed even in ODIs. The swashbuckling batter from Hyderabad has played 4 ODIs to date and has amassed 68 runs, which includes a half-century.

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India already boasts of a strong middle-order, featuring the likes of KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya in the squad. While they would naturally be India’s first-choice batters to make it to the playing XI in Champions Trophy, it is only wise for the team to carry Tilak Varma as a back-up option. The reason? His form in the recent years and his prolific record. As if on cue, Varma is already gearing up for the 50-over format and is leading Hyderabad in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Taking about his recent form, he scored two back-to-back hundreds in the T20I series against South Africa earlier this year. He then sizzled with consistent performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Additionally, Tilak’s ability to also roll his arm over will only make him an additional asset for Team India in CT 2025.