‘It’s about time’: Wasim Jaffer backs left-arm batter to replace Virat Kohli at No.3 in ODIs

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes Tilak Varma could be a suitable choice to take over from Virat Kohli at No.3 in India’s ODI batting order after the 2027 World Cup.Kohli has confirmed that 2027 will be his last ODI World Cup for India, meaning the team will have to find a replacement at No.3, a position he has held for many years. It will be a major top-order vacancy, one that India haven’t had to address in around 15 years.Jaffer feels that Tilak has the skills to take over the role, pointing to his ability to bat in various positions in T20Is and his record in first-class cricket.“It feels great to see his versatility. He used to score centuries at No. 3 and now he has adapted so beautifully to the No. 5 and No. 6 positions. That’s an amazing quality,” Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.Jaffer also believes India could have a left-handed batsman at No.3 once Kohli and Rohit Sharma move on, with Yashasvi Jaiswal potentially taking over from Rohit at the top of the order.“It’s about time. When Virat and Rohit go, of course Rohit is a top-order batsman and Yashasvi Jaiswal is there to replace him, but I feel Virat will be replaced by a left-handed batsman. He has the game; we saw him score runs in the Duleep Trophy. His first-class average is around 55, so he can easily fit in all three.”However, Tilak has limited ODI experience. He played only four matches for India, batting twice at No. 3 and once each at No. 4 and No. 5. He scored 68 runs at an average of 22.67.His last ODI came in December 2025 against South Africa. It was also the series in which Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4 and scored a century.Whoever eventually replaces Kohli will have a tough task.