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Ravi Shastri discloses why India played different batsmen at Number 4 in 2019 Cricket World Cup

Dixit Bhargav
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Ravi Shastri discloses why India played different batsmen at Number 4 in 2019 Cricket World Cup

Shastri discloses why India played different batsmen: The Indian coach was vocal about India playing several batsmen at Number 4.

Commenced in 2015, the Indian cricket team’s search for a No. 4 batsman in ODIs is still relevant. Despite numerous candidates applying for the same post, not one has been able to stake a long-term claim.

The build-up to the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 saw the most desperate phase in the search of a No. 4 batsman. Despite zeroing in on one candidate, adjusting to injuries, situations and conditions saw India playing as many as four batsmen at No. 4 in this World Cup.

Shastri discloses why India played different batsmen at No. 4

India coach Ravi Shastri has admitted that India needed a “solid” batsman especially in opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan’s absence in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Speaking in an interview with Indian Express, Shastri also talked about India playing several batsmen at No. 4 during the tournament.

“In hindsight, yes, we did need a solid batsman out there in the middle order. But now, that’s something for the future. That’s a position that was always giving us problems, but we just couldn’t nail it. [KL] Rahul was there but then Shikhar Dhawan got injured. Then Vijay Shankar was there, and he got injured. We just couldn’t control it,” Shastri was quoted as saying.

On Mayank Agarwal

India had handed a maiden call-up to opening batsman Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for injured all-rounder Vijay Shankar. On being asked if Agarwal was in the plans to play at No. 4, Shastri didn’t deny the same but also added a time constraint going against the move.

“Not really, because it got too tight. By the time Mayank [Agarwal] came to join us, there wasn’t much time. If there was one more game, that is, if this semi-final was a game later, we would have definitely done it. He flew in, and Rahul had just hit a 60, and then a hundred,” Shastri said.

Before concluding, Shastri eulogized about the Indian cricketers and their performance in the last two years. While he confessed that India struggled big time for 30 minutes in the semi-final, he expressed pride for his players who according to him formed the “best team” in the last two years.

“Walk out with your heads held high. Be proud. Those 30 minutes can’t erase the fact that you guys have been the best team in the last couple of years. You guys know it.

“One tournament, one series — and that, too, 30 minutes of play can’t decide that. You guys have earned that respect. Of course, we are all hurt and disappointed but, in the end, be proud of what you have done for the last two years,” Shastri concluded.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Dixit Bhargav

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Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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