Left-handed opener Shikhar Dhawan on Wednesday (April 24) said that there shouldn’t be any debate over the No. 4 batting slot in India’s World Cup team. Dhawan believes players have been picked to do the job and now it is up to the captain and the coach to specify everyone’s role.
Team India’s No. 4 conundrum in the 50-over format has been a topic of discussion for some time now and the selectors have shown faith on Vijay Shankar after trying few players for the spot.
"After the Champions Trophy, we tried quite a few people at No.4. We gave a few more chances to Rayudu. What Vijay Shankar brings is three dimensional. We are looking at him at no. 4 to begin with," chief selector MSK Prasad had told the media after announcing the squad last week.
Asked about the debate surrounding the crucial slot, Dhawan said, “There is no debate anymore now. There is Vijay Shankar now. Even KL Rahul is there. They are there to play for that number. Whatever the captain and coach think we will go with them.”
Shikhar, who was part of the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy squad, said that most of the team members have played in England and that would be an advantage to the team.
“In England when we played Test series over there (last year), pitches were totally different, when we go and play the ICC tournaments the pitches are going to be very different,” he said.
“Especially in England, as Indian team, we have performed really well in ODI format and T20s. You remember Champions Trophy 2013 and 2017. In 2013 we were champions and in 17 we were the runners-up and mostly all the players are the same so that is again a good sign.
“We have got a mature and settled side and at the same time we all know the conditions very well. All the players have visited England earlier and they know what sort of wickets we are going to get and what to expect there. So, that gives a huge advantage for us and for sure we are going to explore it,” the southpaw added.
Dhawan also seemed excited to open the batting with Rohit Sharma in the quadrennial event, saying that both of them have adequate experience.
“Absolutely, it gives a lot of advantage because the bowlers does not get settled that easily when the opening pair is left handed and right handed,” said Dhawan when asked whether right and left combination at the top helps teams in general.
“And at the same time Rohit (Sharma) and myself have been performing very well for the past few years and we both are experienced players and we know how to do our job as openers, so we disturb the bowlers’ line and length.
“We both are attacking players and with that experience we can get into bowlers’ mind and disturb (their rhythm), which we want and which we will do,” he concluded.
(With PTI inputs)
