Before the 2023 IPL season, Brad Hogg, a former Australian cricketer, claimed that he had worked with young sensation Tilak Varma during a Mumbai Indians second-team training camp. In the second Test between India and England, the Indian team won decisively to level the series at 1-1. Brad Hogg
India produced an outstanding performance to stage a comeback in Vizag despite losing important players like ace batsman Virat Kohli due to personal reasons and vital players Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul due to injuries. Notably, the selectors chose to call up promising talents like Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar, Saurabh Kumar, and Washington Sundar in the absence of the crucial players.
Before the Vizag Test, Patidar received his first test cap. Brad Hogg, a former Australian spinner, expressed his surprise at missing of a potential youngster in the squad. Tilak’s maturity and game awareness astonished Brad Hogg. Over the span of his 14 first-class games, Tilak Varma has amassed 850 runs at an average of 47.22. In addition, he has so far played 16 T20Is and 4 ODIs for India.
I am surprised that he didn’t get an opportunity – Brad Hogg on Tilak Varma
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Brad Hogg identified Tilak Varma as an Indian captain of the future. The MI batting sensation, Hogg, who was once associated with the Mumbai Indians (MI) team, said that he may have had the chance to make his Test debut for India during the current series against England.
“I spent some time with Tilak Varma before the IPL last year with the Mumbai Indians second team. I think he is a fantastic player and has a great head on his shoulders,”
I am surprised that he didn’t get an opportunity in this Test series. He may not have the runs under his belt but I think he could be a leader for Indian cricket down the track,” he said(31:25).
The way the Test cricket is going, I don’t think he will fit into the Indian team- Brad Hogg on Ajinkya Rahane
While playing with Ajinkya Rahane for the Rajasthan Royals, Brad Hogg claimed himself to be a great fan of the experienced Indian batsman. He believes that Rahane, though, is better suited for circumstances in which India require a technically proficient batter away from home. Hogg suggested that when India travels abroad, they should choose Rahane instead of Shreyas Iyer.
“The way the Test cricket is going, I don’t think he will fit into the Indian team. Although Shreyas Iyer has struggled against the short ball, I would want to give him a couple of more opportunities. On bouncer wickets, Iyer struggles a bit and that’s where Ajinkya Rahane can play a role offshore,” he stated (37:40).
Brad Hogg raised his doubts about Shreyas Iyer’s ability to handle short-pitched deliveries. Iyer might not start for India in the third Test match against England in Rajkot since Shubman Gill struck a century in Visakhapatnam and Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are expected to return.