Tilak Varma has been tipped to become Virat Kohli's successor at the No. 3 spot in India's ODI batting order. The backing comes from former India batter Wasim Jaffer, who believes Tilak has the game to eventually fill the crucial position once India's current stars move on from international cricket.
Why Wasim Jaffer Backs Tilak Varma for India's No. 3 Spot
Jaffer's assessment is built on two things — Tilak's versatility and the fact that he is a left-handed batter. According to ABP Live, Jaffer highlighted both qualities while explaining why Tilak fits the No. 3 role in the long run.
The former India batter made his view clear on what the batting order could look like in the future.
"There will be a left-handed batter in Virat's place." — Wasim Jaffer, via ABP Live
Tilak Varma's Asian Games 2026 Final Performance Sparked the Talk
Jaffer's comments came after Tilak produced a match-winning performance in India's Asian Games 2026 final. That knock put the spotlight back on Tilak's ability to handle pressure in a big game — exactly the kind of quality India would want from a future No. 3.
The No. 3 position in ODIs has long belonged to Virat Kohli, one of India's most reliable batters in that role. Any talk of a successor is naturally a big deal, because it touches on how India plans its batting line-up for the years ahead.
- Tilak Varma is being seen as a long-term option for India's No. 3 in ODIs
- Wasim Jaffer is the India veteran backing him publicly
- Jaffer's reasons: Tilak's versatility and left-handed batting
- The discussion follows Tilak's match-winning show in the Asian Games 2026 final
Our Take: A Sensible Call, But the Wait Is Real
In our view, Jaffer's point makes practical sense. A left-handed batter at No. 3 breaks the rhythm of opposition bowlers, especially in ODI cricket where the fielding restrictions and match situations reward variety. Tilak brings that variety, and his versatility means he is not a one-dimensional pick.
To put it plainly, though, this is a conversation about the future — not a change happening now. Virat Kohli still holds the No. 3 spot, and nothing in this news suggests otherwise. What Jaffer has done is lay out a possible plan for when that transition eventually comes.
For readers, the takeaway is simple. Tilak Varma is now firmly in the conversation for one of the most important batting positions in Indian cricket. One strong performance in a final does not seal a spot, but combined with public backing from a former India player, it tells you the team management and cricket watchers are paying close attention. The next few series will show whether this talk turns into a real opportunity.
