India will play its first ICC World Cup warm-up match in Guwahati against England. The squad reached the city on Thursday, September 28 — and after their balanced approach in the Australia ODI series, India's batting order is finally looking in top form.
Although the team management is now dealing with a problem of 'too many options.’ After Shreyas Iyer's knockout century in the last series, critics now feel he still remains the best No. 4 batter. However, with K.L. Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) and Ishan Kishan's blistering show with the bat, selectors might have to think twice before choosing their No. 4.
However, ex-cricketer Virender Sehwag felt that SKY has to prove his merit in ODI cricket before being considered for the No. 4 spot. Recently at a talk show on Cricbuzz, Sehwag said, “To adjust someone at No. 6, why do you want to change the No. 4 which is the most important position? Shreyas Iyer has just scored a century and he’s someone who can stabilise an innings if you lose wickets against the new ball and score big. So don’t disturb that,” Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.
“Suryakumar Yadav hasn’t played an innings like that in ODIs because all his runs have usually come in the last 15 overs. It’s like T20, no doubt it’s important but K.L. Rahul, Hardik Pandya and Ishan Kishan can do the same job. So, in my view, Shreyas Iyer is quite fit for the No. 4 slot. Suryakumar Yadav will have to wait. He will have to prove to selectors and management that he’s capable of scoring a hundred,” he said.
“When Shreyas Iyer has just scored a hundred, then why change anything? You have been planning this (batting order) for the past 2-3 years and when everybody is in form, then there’s no need for a change,” Gavaskar said.
India made some last-minute changes in the ICC World Cup squad after Axar Patel failed to recover from his injury and roped in off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. India made the change in the squad before the deadline of September 28 set by the International Cricket Council.
Patel picked up an injury during India's successful Asia Cup 2023 campaign and has been on the sidelines since then. Ashwin was called into the Indian squad for the recently concluded ODIs against Australia. The ace spinner played the first two matches of the three-match series before he made way for Washington Sundar for the third ODI.
(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
