"One Batting Slot Does Not Make Much Of A Difference": Sourav Ganguly On Number 4 Position

21.08.2023 - 11:17 sports.ndtv.com

Former captain Sourav Ganguly on Monday said India have a lot of options for the No 4 position in their ODI side, and stressed that one position alone will not win important tournaments like the World Cup.

Ganguly said the team management should zero in on one player and give him a long rope at the No 4 slot. “India has enormous talent.

I keep hearing about this...we don't have this or that but we have too much and that is the problem that we cannot decide. "The No 4...Rahul (Dravid), selectors and Rohit (Sharma) need to decide that ‘this is my No 4 and I will continue with him'.

One batting slot does not make much of a difference,” Ganguly told the media in Mumbai while being appointed as the brand ambassador of the real estate company Casagrand.

cricket India Cricket Team on Sourav Ganguly Tilak Varma India

Indian cricket team's squad announcement for Asia Cup 2023 was met with several debates and speculations among both fans and experts. One of the issues that has been grabbing headlines off late has been the nature of the team composition – specifically the need to play three left-handed batters in the side. However, former opener Gautam Gambhir completely dismissed the idea and said that the focus ahead of Asia Cup and ICC World Cup 2023 should be on quality and not on quantity. He added that it is important to choose players on merit and not on any other criteria.

"One Position Can't Win Us...": Rohit Sharma Shuts Down Debate Over No. 4 Slot

The debate over who will bat for the Indian cricket at No. 4 dominated headlines in the build up to the squad announcement for Asia Cup 2023. From Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma being considered as valid options to suggestions of playing Virat Kohli at the role, there were no shortage of discussions. The squad was finally announced on Monday and it comprised of multiple options for the middle-order positions but skipper Rohit Sharma made it clear that the debate needs to stop about a particular slot.

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"He Opens Up The Game...": Sourav Ganguly Picks India's Wicketkeeper For ICC World Cup 2023

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has picked Ishan Kishan as the team's wicketkeeper-batter for the Asia Cup and the subsequent ODI World Cup on home soil. With Rishabh Pant out of action due to injuries sustained in a car crash last year, India are yet to finalise their first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for the mega events. In his absence, India have a choice to make between Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and KL Rahul, who is currently out injured.

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Sourav Ganguly Backs This Youngster To Be India's No.4 In Absence Of Shreyas Iyer

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday said promising left-hander Tilak Varma should be India's choice for No 4 batsman at the ICC World Cup 2023 if a front-line player like Shreyas Iyer is not available. Shreyas has been recuperating at the NCA after a surgery on his injured back. But Ganguly said India has several options for the crucial No 4 slot. "Who said we don't have a No. 4? We have so many (batsmen) who can bat at that spot. I think differently; my mindset is different. This is a fantastic side," Ganguly said on the sidelines of a Denver event where he was announced as the 'Brand Face.' "I see Tilak Varma as an option, being a left-hander," Ganguly said, highlighting Varma's adaptability and fearless approach to the game.