India’s biggest problem for ODI World Cup 2023, reveals Rohit Sharma: The cricket world has started to get into the groove as just around two months are left to go for the all-important ODI World Cup 2023. The hype for the event has begun to rise and there has been a lot of anticipation among the fans.
As of now, all 10 participating teams would be honing themselves and leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the global event. The respective managements would look at the loose side of the teams, and do extra efforts to tighten it before the World Cup so that it doesn’t become a glaring issue.
Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit Sharma has revealed what has been the glaring issue for team India for a long time. Sharma admitted that Team India is having an unresolved issue with No. 4 spot in the ODI side.
The Indian skipper pointed out that nobody has managed to survive effectively at No 4 for India in ODIs for long, since Yuvraj Singh’s exit from the cricket scene.
“Look, No. 4 has been an issue for us for a long time. After Yuvi [Yuvraj Singh], nobody has come and settled themselves in [in No 4 position for India in ODIs],” Rohit told reporters on the sidelines of a La Liga event in Mumbai.
Rohit acknowledged Shreyas Iyer’s contributions in that particular spot, who had taken up the role for the past few years. However, unfortunately, he is recovering from a back injury and hasn’t had any game time in the past four months.
“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,” said Rohit Sharma.
The Men in Blue have tested 11 different players at the aforementioned spot after the conclusion of the 2019 ODI World Cup in England. Of all the players, who came in and gave their services, only Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant could survive the longest. But to India’s dismay, Pant has already been ruled out of the ODI World Cup 2023 and Shreyas Iyer is still recovering from a back injury.
“The percentage of injuries that have happened in the last 4-5 years, it is massive. When the players get injured or are not available, you try doing different things with different players — that is what I have to say about No. 4,” he said.
No 4 Spot, a glaring issue for India in ODI World Cup 2023
Rohit told that the management will access how both KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer respond after they are deemed fully fit to take part in the international competition.
“Shreyas and KL are coming off not playing anything for four months, big injuries, surgeries rather. Both had surgeries. I know, I had to undergo surgery once and how it feels afterwards, it is quite tough. We have to see, how they respond, what they do.”
Hitman mentioned that there are no automatic selections for players, not including himself, for the pivotal tournament like ODI World Cup 2023. He indicated that the selection meeting for the Asia Cup 2023 will be held in the next couple of days.
In the recent past, after Shreyas Iyer got injured, India has extensively tested Suryakumar Yadav at the No 4 spot, however, things have turned pale. Yadav has not been successful in replicating his T20I feats in the ODIs and he himself admitted that his ODI numbers are horrible.
Meanwhile, another name that has come up of late is Tilak Varma, who has managed to successfully make his debut in the T20Is during the ongoing IND vs WI T20I series. Recently former IND selector MSK Prasad mentioned that Varma could feature in the ODI World Cup 2023. In fact, R Ashwin also reckons that the youngster could enter the marquee event.
ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2023 All Team Squads, Players List, Complete Schedule
For more details head to ICC’s official website.
