{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Tilak Varma Emerges as Ideal Number 3 Successor to Virat Kohli in ODIs, Believes Wasim Jaffer",
  "summary": "Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer identifies Tilak Varma as the best left-handed fit for the number three slot once Virat Kohli steps away from ODI cricket.",
  "content": "Ever since 2012, stalwart batter Virat Kohli has made the pivotal number three batting slot his personal stronghold in one-day international cricket, establishing a glittering array of milestones from that position. Having already bid farewell to Test and T20 international formats, the 2027 World Cup looms as his likely swansong in the fifty-over game. That eventual departure leaves Indian cricket with the monumental task of finding a worthy successor for the anchor role in the top order. Weighing in on this debate, former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has endorsed Tilak Varma as the player possessing every tool required to take up that mantle.\n\nTransitioning into the Post-Rohit and Kohli Era\nSpeaking on his YouTube channel, Wasim Jaffer highlighted that Tilak Varma's greatest asset is his rare versatility across diverse batting positions. He previously demonstrated his temperament by striking a century at number three, while continuing to make strong contributions when slotted lower down at numbers five and six. Jaffer noted that the Indian team must prepare for life after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While Yashasvi Jaiswal looks fully equipped to take over opening duties from Rohit, introducing a left-handed presence like Tilak at number three would offer ideal tactical balance once Kohli departs. Tilak's impressive showings in the Duleep Trophy and an exceptional first-class average hovering near 55 underline his readiness to transition smoothly across all three formats of international cricket.\n\nLimited One-Day Outings Despite Consistent T20 Presence\nAlthough Tilak Varma has firmly established himself in the national T20 setup with multiple match-winning performances, his opportunities in the 50-over format remain scarce. Over the course of his early career, he has featured in only 5 ODIs, accumulating a total of 68 runs across varied positions in the batting order. His most recent one-day international appearance came in December 2025 during an encounter against South Africa, with no further ODI selections since that outing. He was also seen in action during the Asian Games in recent times.\n\nStepping into the Shoes of a Record-Breaker\nReplacing an icon like Virat Kohli represents an immense challenge for any upcoming cricketer. Kohli recently produced another masterclass in the series opener against the West Indies, registering his 55th one-day international hundred and taking his overall tally to 86 international centuries. During that very knock, he crossed the landmark of 15,000 runs in ODI cricket, becoming only the second batsman in world and Indian cricket history to breach that plateau. On the all-time run-scoring charts in ODI cricket, Kohli currently stands second only to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe discussion highlights the ongoing strategic succession planning that Indian cricket fans can expect in the coming years.\n\n• For Cricket Fans: Supporters will witness a gradual changing of the guard in the top order. Followers of the team can anticipate seeing Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma taking over marquee responsibilities once current stalwarts move away.\n• For Tactical Balance: Having a left-handed batsman at number three provides natural variety against diverse bowling attacks. This would enable smoother left-right combinations throughout the middle overs.\n• For Domestic Performers: Young players grinding through the domestic grind see clear evidence that sustained runs bring international recognition. High averages in tournaments like the Duleep Trophy and first-class fixtures remain the primary gateway to top-level cricket.\n• For Selectors: Management faces the immediate responsibility of grooming potential successors ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Selectors will need to offer regular game time in ODIs to players like Tilak Varma to build their experience.\n\nWhy this happened\nWasim Jaffer shared this perspective in light of Indian cricket's ongoing generational transition and the eventual retirement timeline of Virat Kohli.\n\n• Senior Retirement Timeline: Having already retired from Test and T20 international formats, Virat Kohli is widely expected to conclude his ODI career around the 2027 World Cup. This foreseeable exit has prompted cricket analysts to evaluate long-term options for the crucial number three spot.\n• Technical Adaptability: Tilak Varma has demonstrated the ability to score hundreds at number three while also executing attacking roles at numbers five and six. His first-class average of around 55 reinforces his readiness across varied conditions and formats.\n• Tactical Left-Handed Dimension: Pairing Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top as Rohit Sharma's successor with Tilak Varma at number three brings a valuable left-handed balance to the order. This structural advantage formed the core reasoning behind Jaffer's assessment.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Who has Wasim Jaffer backed to replace Virat Kohli at number three in ODIs?\nWasim Jaffer has backed Tilak Varma as the ideal candidate to bat at number three once Virat Kohli retires from ODIs.\n\n2. Since when has Virat Kohli been batting at number three in ODI cricket?\nVirat Kohli has been regularly batting at the number three position in one-day internationals since 2012.\n\n3. What is Tilak Varma's batting average in first-class cricket?\nTilak Varma maintains an impressive first-class batting average of approximately 55.\n\n4. How many ODI matches has Tilak Varma played so far?\nTilak Varma has played only 5 one-day international matches, scoring a total of 68 runs across various positions.\n\n5. What milestone did Virat Kohli recently achieve in one-day cricket?\nKohli scored his 55th ODI hundred against the West Indies to complete 15,000 ODI runs, becoming the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to reach the milestone.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/vanade-men-virat-kohli-ke-bada-nnbara-3-ke-lie-tilak-varma-sabase-majabuta-davedara-wasim-jaffer-ne-batai-bari-vajaha-42931",
  "category": "Cricket",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-04",
  "tags": [
    "Tilak Varma",
    "Virat Kohli",
    "Wasim Jaffer",
    "Indian Cricket Team",
    "ODI Cricket",
    "Yashasvi Jaiswal"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}