Team India captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his concerns regarding the middle order of the current Indian team. He addressed the important role of Shreyas Iyer at number 4 in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023.
Undoubtedly, the Indian cricket team is widely seen as one of the most well-rounded squads in international cricket. However, the quest for a reliable number four batsman has persisted for several years now. As the ODI World Cup 2023 inches closer, India is determined to address their middle-order conundrum promptly.
In the same context, Team India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, expressed that finding a middle-order player as impactful as Yuvraj Singh has proven elusive. Over the years, India has experimented with various players in this crucial role, but very few have managed to firmly establish themselves.
Rohit Sharma did highlight Shreyas Iyer as a promising contender for this role, acknowledging the 28-year-old’s commendable performances in the middle order. As the World Cup approaches, the focus shifts to how the Indian team shapes up and copes with this aspect of their lineup.
“Look, No. 4 has been an issue for us for a long time. After Yuvi, 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,” Rohit Sharma said during an interaction event by La Liga in Mumbai.
Additionally, Rohit Sharma shared insights about the team’s struggle with injuries in recent times. Looking back to the 2019 World Cup, Rohit pointed out that the Indian team has been significantly affected by numerous injuries which impacted the team’s performance on several occasions. These injuries have had a considerable impact, with some players losing their spots in the squad or experiencing dips in form as a result.
“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. Even before when I was not the captain, I was watching no? There were so many guys who came in and went out. But injuries kept them away or they were not available or someone lost form,” the Indian skipper concluded.
