By India Blooms News Service Aug 22, 2023
With less than two months to go for the World Cup, the Indian cricket team are gearing up for Asia Cup 2023, which will be a test for the men-in-blues One Day International (ODI) squad.
The team for the Asia Cup 2023 were announced by the selectors on Monday.
Though Rohit Sharma had earlier admitted the number four spot in the batting lineup was an issue, the skipper on Monday refused to give excessive importance to the slot, which was once successfully held by cricket icon Yuvraj Singh.
Speaking to the reporters, Rohit said, You got guys who can bat at number four (laughs). It is not about number four, but about the top three, then from there onwards. It is not just one position that can win us a game and a tournament.
It is about the batting unit coming together as a batting unit and getting the job done.
He added, There have been challenges. Guys have been put under pressure. We have had some injuries, we had to try and see other players in that position. We had to rotate them.
Some players missed out due to workload management. We had to try what combination suited us. We tried Axar at number four, a left-hander at number four and allowed him to play with freedom. Once we get into the World Cup, we want to rest assured that this is what we want to do.
Rohit had earlier said, Look, No. 4 has been an issue for us for a long time. After Yuvi (Yuvraj Singh), nobody has come and settled themselves in. But, for a long period of time, Shreyas (Iyer) has actually batted at No. 4 and he has done well - his numbers are really good.
Unfortunately, injuries have given him a bit of trouble; he has been out for a while and that is honestly what has happened in the last 4-5 years. A lot of these guys have got injured and you will always see a new guy coming and playing there.
Recovering from injuries, Indias premier bowler Jasprit Bumrah and batter KL Rahul returned to the ODI side, which will be led by Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as his deputy in the Asia Cup.
After his impressive performance in T20s against West Indies, young batter Tilak Varma has been included in the team.
Sanju Samson will be travelling as the stand-by player for India.
Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul will be the wicketkeeper-batter option for the men-in-blue.
India will take on Pakistan in their first match of Asia Cup 2023 on September 2.