Indian Cricket team captain Rohit Sharma admitted that India has struggled to fill the No.4 spot in ODIs since the retirement of Yuvraj Singh. With the World Cup 2023 less than two months away, Rohit is hoping Shreyas Iyer can make a return from injury and stake his claim. However, the Hit-Man confirmed that no player was an automatic selection when Ajit Agarkar names his squad in the coming days.
“Look, No. 4 has been an issue for us for a long time. After Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh), nobody has come and settled themselves in. But, for a long period of time, Shreyas (Iyer) has actually batted at No. 4 and he has done well — his numbers are really good,” Rohit told reporters on the sidelines of a La Liga event in Mumbai.
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Rohit’s assessment is valid: Shreyas averages 47.35 at No. 4, with two centuries and five fifties. But his injury has thrown the team into turmoil, with no ready-made replacement. Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Suryakumar Yadav have failed to make a mark. Rishabh Pant is ruled out, while Kl Rahul also underwent surgery. Such is the desperation, even Shubman Gill, an opener with an average of 60+, could be slotted in the middle order. Injuries have also played their part, Rohit Sharma admitted.
“Unfortunately, injuries have given him [Shreyas] a bit of trouble; he has been out for a while, and that is honestly what has happened in the last 4-5 years. A lot of these guys have got injured and you will always see a new guy coming and playing there. The percentage of injuries that have happened in the last 4–5 years, is massive. When the players get injured or are not available, you try doing different things with different players — that is what I have to say about No. 4,” Rohit added.
‘Nobody is an automatic selection’
The Indian Cricket Team is believed to have a settled core group for the World Cup 2023. Only little tweaks are expected depending on player fitness. The Men in Blue have Jasprit Bumrah returning in the IND vs IRE series. The return dates of KL Rahul & Shreyas Iyer remain uncertain. While all three are first choices, Rohit said no one is a certain pick, including himself.
“No one is an automatic (selection), even I am not. We have this thing where nobody is guaranteed a spot. Yes, some players know that they are going to play. Playing three ODIs in the West Indies was a good opportunity to look at a few guys. In the Asia Cup, again, we will face good opposition,” Rohit Sharma said.
The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be held just before the World Cup. Rohit is keen to see how Shreyas and Rahul return from injuries should they make a comeback. The Indian Cricket team added that the key was to pick the right combination.
“Shreyas and KL are coming off not playing anything for four months, big injuries, surgeries rather. The selection (meeting) will be there in a few days, we will have a good debate about what we can do. We have got a lot of names there. We will see what is right combination for us to go in the World Cup but before we have the Asia Cup,” the India skipper added.
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