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

21.08.2023 - 09:35 sports.ndtv.com

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. "It is not about just one position...all positions are important.

We have had injuries along the lines and that is the reason we needed to manage that load. We need to figure what combination suits.

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Legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has shared his views on the idea of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli batting at no. 4 to make room for Ishan Kishan to open the innings with Shubman Gill. With the Asia Cup set to begin in a week's time, the debate around the no. 4 batting continues to intensify. During the press conference of India's Asia Cup squad announcement, India captain Rohit also shared his views on the same. Gavaskar doesn't want to disturb the batting position of Rohit, who feels that the team needs to be flexible.

Experts Praise Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar For 'Candid' Asia Cup Press Conference

Team India's 17-member squad for the Asia Cup 2023, starting from August 30, was announced earlier this week after a meeting between the selectors and the team management. India captain Rohit Sharma and the new chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar were also part of the meeting that took place in New Delhi. After the squad announcement, Rohit and Agarkar addressed a press conference where they spoke in details about squad, including the criteria behind the selection process.

Asia Cup 2023: Doors Shut For Ravichandran Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal To Make India ODI Return? Rohit Sharma's Big Reply

The Indian cricket team squad for Asia Cup 2023 was announced on Monday and a big exclusion was veteran spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal. Instead, the selectors went for the left-arm trio of Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. During the press conference following the team selection meeting, skipper Rohit Sharma and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar opened up about the reasons behind the team selection and what it can mean for the future when it comes to the ones who were not picked. "Axar Patel has done really well. He can bat too. Kuldeep Yadav has had a fantastic run to this point. So someone had to miss out. Kuldeep is currently a little ahead of him (Chahal), said Agarkar in the conference.

Watch: "Pagalpanti Nahi" - Rohit Sharma Pulls Batting Order Query Out Of The Park

The Indian cricket team squad for Asia Cup 2023 was announced on Monday and during the press conference following the reveal, skipper Rohit Sharma faced a lot of questions regarding the possible team combinations and how the batting order can look against Pakistan in the first match of the competition. However, the veteran batter was completely unfazed by the queries and he came up with a straight yet hilarious answer. He explained that most slots in the batting order are already decided with No. 4 and 5 being the slots where some flexibility is possible. He further explained that youngsters will be shuffled in different positions and joked that the team will not indulge in 'madness' like "sending a opener to bat at No 8".

Rohit Sharma "Cripples During Captaincy": Pakistan Pace Great, Drops 'MS Dhoni' Hint To Drill Home The Point

Rohit Sharma faces an acid test as Indian cricket team gets on with their final rounds of preparation for the ODI World Cup 2023 at home. When Rohit Sharma was handed the captaincy, after Virat Kohli failed to win a single ICC title as skipper, there was much expectation. However, he could not led the team to success at the 2022 T20 World Cup and the World Test Championship final. In that scenario,, the marquee event at home gain extra significance. The last time India hosted the ODI World Cup 2023, they won it under MS Dhoni. Since then, India have not been able to win any World Cups, irrespective of the format.

Rohit Sharma To Attend BCCI's Meeting In Delhi To Select Asia Cup Squad: Report

The men's senior selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), led by Ajit Agarkar, will meet in New Delhi on Monday to discuss the Asia Cup squad. Indian captain Rohit Sharma will also attend the meeting. India's team has yet to announce their squad for Asia Cup and World Cup amid concerns over the injury of their key players, while nations like Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh have already named their Asia Cup squads. England and Australia have also announced the provisional squad for the World Cup 2023.