Explaining Team India's No. 4 Conundrum Ahead Of Asia Cup 2023

23.08.2023 - 09:07 sports.ndtv.com

As the Indian cricket team heads into a busy period of ODI cricket, with the Asia Cup and World Cup on the horizon, an unsettled middle order remains the team's biggest issue.

In the middle-order, there remains a big dilemma over who the ideal No. 4 batter could be. While Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have been playing at the position for a while, their long-term injuries prompted the team management to test the multiple options at the spot.

For the Asia Cup, even the uncapped Tilak Varma was roped in, following the promise he showed in the T20I series against West Indies.

As the No. 4 spot arguably remains India's most problematic position in the batting unit, stats reveal what steps the team management took to address the problem.

cricket India Cricket Team Asia Cup 2023 cup Asia Cup India

Bangladesh has been hit hard by injuries in their ongoing Asia Cup campaign with Najmul Hossain Shanto being ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a hamstring problem. As per the country's cricket board - BCB, he will return to Bangladesh immediately and work on his rehabilitation ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, set to begin in India next month. Premier wicketkeeper batter Litton Das, who was initially ruled out of the tournament because of illness, joined the team in place of Shanto after getting his medical clearance on Tuesday.

Asia Cup 2023 - Super Four, Final Matches To Stay In Colombo: Report

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Tuesday decided to keep the Asia Cup Super 4 and final matches in Colombo itself as the weather in the Sri Lankan capital has shown signs of improvement. It has been speculated over the last few days that the Super 4 and final games of the Asia Cup could be shifted to Hambantota after heavy rains lashed Colombo. The PTI has been informed that the ACC held parleys with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), hosts Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the official broadcaster before arriving at the decision to keep the matches in Colombo itself.

India's Squad For Cricket World Cup 2023: KL Rahul Included, Tilak Varma And Sanju Samson Out

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-member squad for the ODI World Cup 2023. The Board made a bold call in giving wicket-keeper batter KL Rahul the nod despite the fact that he didn't feature in the first two matches of Asia Cup 2023 due to injury. Tilak Varma, who was selected in India's 17-member team for the Asia Cup, didn't find a place in the 15-man World Cup squad while Sanju Samson was left out too. Prasidh Krishna, who made his return to the ODI side after a long injury layoff, wasn't picked by the selectors either but ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah was roped in.

Asia Cup 2023: Rohit Sharma's Cold Stare At Hardik Pandya, Others During Nepal Game Can't Be Missed. Watch

The Indian cricket team, despite its Super 4 entry in the Asia Cup with a win over Nepal on Monday, had a lot to ponder upon. India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field first, but Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh got quick runs with help from the Indian fielders, who dropped three catches in the first five overs. Shreyas Iyer dropped a regulation catch at slip, Virat Kohli spilled a sitter at short cover and wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan let the ball through his gloves.

India vs Nepal, Asia Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri Critical Of Rohit Sharma And Co.'s 'Flat Body Language' vs Nepal

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team entered the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023 by defeating Nepal in a rain-hit Group A match on Monday. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill stayed unbeaten till the end as India registered a 10-wicket (DLS) win chasing a 231-run target. However, not all was smooth for the Indian cricket team. After Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first, Indian fielders were lax on the field. They dropped three chances before getting the house in order. Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri did not like India's 'body language' at the start of the match.

Asia Cup 2023 - Jasprit Bumrah Flies Back To Mumbai Due To Personal Reasons: Report

Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has left for Mumbai amid the ongoing Asia Cup due to personal reasons, as per sources. The sources also said that the bowler is expected to be back in time for the Super Stage of the tournament, starting from September 6 onwards. Pace veteran Mohammed Shami, who did not play in the first clash against Pakistan at Kandy, could replace him during the match against Nepal. Bumrah had just made his international cricket return after over 10 months from injury during India's T20I series against Ireland as a captain. Not only he led a young Indian team to a series win, but also displayed amazing fitness and rhythm, taking four wickets in two matches, with the best figures of 2/15.