India begins planning for middle-order backups, Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir (Source: AFP)The 2027 ODI World Cup is still more than a year away, but India's planning for the tournament has already begun. The competition will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027, with discussions possibly starting as early as October 2.India's team management, under head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the selectors are now looking at younger players who can provide more options to the team.One name that has recently come into the limelight is Tilak Varma, who is being considered a possible backup for Shreyas Iyer in the top six (in the 2027 ODI World Cup), according to reports from the Times of India.Tilak Varma In India's 2027 ODI World Cup Plans As Shreyas Iyer's BackupAccording to the selectors, Tilak Varma’s left-handed batting is seen as an advantage because it can bring variety to an otherwise right-handed-heavy lineup. If reports are to be believed, India’s team management is reportedly concerned about the lack of backups for the middle order. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and ODI captain Shubman Gill want some young players who can bat in the top and middle order while also contributing with the ball. Tilak fits the bill perfectly in this regard. “Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn’t any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy being prone to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by TOI. Also Read: Tilak Varma's Captaincy Record In Red-Ball Cricket Ahead Of Duleep Trophy 2026How Tilak Varma Could Add Balance To India's Batting Lineup For 2027 ODI World Cup?Tilak Varma's biggest advantage is that he is a left-handed batter. His inclusion would give India a different combination in the top and middle order. Currently, the Indian team has Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, all right-handed batters, as its top four in ODIs.So if Tilak Varma is added to the ODI World Cup plans, it will break the monotony of all right-handed batters and add an extra layer of dimension to the lineup.Along with his batting ability, the team management also wants him to develop his off-spin, as his bowling could give India another useful option in the middle overs in South African conditions.The plan is particularly important for the ODI World Cup, where having a decent sixth bowling option can give the captain greater flexibility.It is important to note that, based on Tilak’s ODI stats, he has played only 5 matches and has contributed 68 runs at an average of 22.66. In List A cricket, he has played 52 matches and made 2142 runs at an average of 47.60 and a strike rate of 87.96. Talking about his numbers with the ball, Tilak has bagged 11 wickets with his off-spin across 25 List-A innings at a healthy economy rate of 5.25. Other factors that challenge Shreyas Iyer's place in India's 2027 ODI World Cup TeamShreyas Iyer remains an important part of India’s ODI plans, but his position is under scanner for several reasons. Iyer's fitness and ability to handle pace and bounce in South African conditions are some other grey areas the management wants to assess.“The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late. The team already has two ageing players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well," "KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around. Ravindra Jadeja isn’t a certainty either. The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitness issues. The team management feels that they need younger backups ready,” the BCCI source added. Additionally, Shreyas Iyer's recent form in ODIs is also a matter of concern. In 2026, Iyer has so far played 9 ODI matches, scoring 219 runs at an average of 27.38 and a strike rate of 84.56.This does not automatically mean that Shreyas Iyer will be dropped from the team. Instead, India appear to be preparing alternatives so that they don't become heavily dependent on a fixed set of players and run out of quality options in the World Cup. Also Read: Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report, Delhi Weather Report For DPL Final 2026
