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SPORTS AUGUST 25, 2023 | The Indian Eye 54

decision in their squad for the World Cup 2023 and
Asia Cup 2023.
Views of former India head coach Shastri
along with the endorsements of former chief of
selectors Sandeep Patil, have cast a spotlight on
the critical factors that can shape the composition
of the Indian cricket team with the Asia Cup 2023
and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on the
horizon.
During discussions on Star Sports’ ‘Selection
Day’ show, the two seasoned voices weighed in on
the selection strategy, emphasizing the significance
of all-rounders and the composition of pacers
within the squad.
Shastri suggested that Axar Patel and Shar-
dul Thakur, along with the two major all-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya, should be in
the team. Ravi Shastri also proposed that Sanju
Samson be kept on standby and integrated into the
team if an injury occurs.
“I think to be fair; I will go with both the
all-rounders - Axar and Shardul, it gives me an op-
portunity. And keep Sanju Samson on standby in
case something happens to the keeper there, where
he can just fly out,” Ravi Shastri said while speak-
ing to Star Sports on the ‘Selection Day’ show.
The former India head coach said that he
would go with two more all-rounders other than
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.
“So, now you start with the pacers because,
for me, the pacers are important. If you need four
over there, you already have one all-rounder (Pan-
dya). So, if Bumrah is fit, he walks in. Shami walks
in – that’s two. You’ve got Siraj as a backup, and if
needed, Shardul can be there. Shardul has done
well in the West Indies one-day game; he can be a
backup. And then you have room for one more,”
he added.
Sandeep Patil was in agreement with Shas-
tri. “I will go with what Ravi said because I want
to remember 1983. The combination we had, we
had many all-rounders in the team, and having
all-rounders in the team gives you so much variety,
and you can choose anybody.”

Rohit Sharma on his Virat Kohli (ANI) Rohit Sharma
2019 performance
Ahmedabad will also host matches between Shastri added that moving Virat down the
ndia skipper Rohit Sharma on Thursday re- traditional rivals India and Pakistan (October 15) order will also break up the heavy top order and
called some of his memories associated with and Australia and England (November 4). add some experience and batting depth to the low-
Ithe ICC Cricket World Cup and said that he The top four teams will qualify for the semifi- er-middle order.
was playing his best cricket in 2019 but it was not nals, to be played in Mumbai on November 15 and “Ishan Kishan should bat right at the top
enough as India failed to lift the trophy. in Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and of the order. Rohit as a captain is vastly experi-
Rohit was the top-scorer in the 2019 WC, scor- the final will have reserve days. enced. He can go in at three. he can go at four.
ing 648 runs at an average of 81 in nine innings, This is where you have to see the player’s frame
with five centuries and a fifty. “Virat will bat at four for of mind. How will Shubman Gill feel if asked to
“2019 World Cup was the best cricket I have the team”: Shastri bat No.3 or No.4 as opposed to batting at the top?
played, got some runs but again I have mentioned No one owns a position. If Virat has to bat at four,
many times if you don’t win the trophy, these runs ormer Indian head coach and all-rounder he will bat at four for the team,” Shastri said on
don’t really matter, I was disappointed as we have Ravi Shastri said that Virat Kohli should Star Sports.
given everything as a team but it wasn’t just for us,” Fdrop down the order during the upcoming Shastri revealed that the thought of asking Vi-
Rohit Sharma said in a video posted by ICC on In- Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup, adding that rat to drop down the order had crossed his mind
stagram. he had even thought of it when he was the coach while he was the head coach of Team India during
Ten teams feature in what will be the biggest during the 2019 World Cup in England. the last edition of the World Cup in England.
Cricket World Cup ever, to be played across 10 In a conversation with Star Sports, he also said Virat has been in great form this year, so far.
venues from October 5 to November 19, with the Ishan Kishan should open the batting and Virat, In 10 ODIs this year, he has scored 427 runs at an
Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad hosting skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill should average of 53.37, with two tons and a fifty and a
the tournament opener and the final. adjust to new positions, if needed. best of 166 against Sri Lanka.

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