Why India should not worry about No. 4 ODI slot ?
Sourav Ganguly insisted that the No. 4 slot is just like any other number in the batting order and there are enough options for team.
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India's No. 4 position in the batting order has been a missing element of the puzzle for several years. In a recent interview, India's captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged that the team has been unable to find a replacement for Yuvraj Singh, who excelled at No. 4 for the 'Men in Blue'.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly asserted, however, that the No. 4 slot is equivalent to any other number in the batting order and that Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul are sufficient options for the two-time ODI World Cup champions. Sourav also noted that he and Sachin Tendulkar began their innings batting lower down the order, but found unimaginable success when they opened.
"Four is merely a number, anyone can accommodate. I truly believe that nobody is born as an opener, No. 3, or No. 4 player. In one-day cricket, I began in the middle order and was instructed to open when Sachin [Tendulkar] was captain. Sachin also began at No. 6; when he opened, he became a player of international calibre.
Therefore, anyone can play at No. There is Virat Kohli at No. 4, Shreyas Iyer if he performs well in the Asia Cup, and KL Rahul. At a function in Mumbai, the 'Prince of Kolkata' stated that India possesses immense talent.
"I'm constantly asked why we don't have this or that, but I believe we have too much; that's the problem. I believe Rahul [Dravid], Rohit [Sharma], and the selectors must determine that this player is my No. 4 and stick with him until the World Cup.
One batting position does not make much of a difference because you cannot win the World Cup with the No. 4 batter. "There is no hard-and-fast rule stating that you must have a player at No. 4, all you need to do is decide who will play there and let them play."
Sourav Ganguly praise India's bowling attack, stating, "It's difficult to choose."
With new bowling talents being unearthed every season, India's bowling resources have been expanding daily. Sourav Ganguly observed that Jasprit Bumrah, who had recently returned from an injury, was bowling well against Ireland. The stylish left-handed batsman also praised India's bowling attack and believed that there is an abundance of talent available.
"It is fortunate that [Jasprit] Bumrah is healthy. I observed him bowling in Ireland, and his velocity was impressive. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj exist. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are examples. Mukesh Kumar recently performed well. Sourav concluded, "I don't see a problem with it; the problem is who to choose."
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