The 15-year reign of Virat Kohli at No. 3 is officially drawing to a close. Kohli has confirmed the 2027 ODI World Cup will be his last, leaving selectors with a massive hole in the top order that hasn't existed since the late 2000s.
Wasim Jaffer, the former India opener, isn't hesitant to name the man who should fill that gap. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Jaffer pointed to Tilak Varma’s versatility as the key differentiator. “He previously scored a century at No. 3, and now he has adapted to the No. 5 and No. 6 positions so beautifully,” Jaffer said. For a player with only four ODI appearances and a 22.67 average, the praise is loud, but Jaffer leans heavily on Varma's domestic pedigree.
“His first-class average is around 55,” Jaffer noted, referencing Varma's run-scoring in the Duleep Trophy. That consistency in longer formats is exactly what the No. 3 batter needs to anchor an innings. Jaffer also argued that India needs a left-hander in that slot once Kohli and Rohit Sharma exit, creating a specific profile that Varma fits well.
The reshuffle doesn't stop at No. 3. Jaffer believes Yashasvi Jaiswal is ready to take over Rohit Sharma's role at the top of the order. It’s a bold projection, but with Kohli’s departure imminent, the board has no choice but to plan for this transition.