The impending ODI World Cup 2023, just a month away, has intensified preparations across teams. India, the host nation, faces a significant hurdle in establishing a stable middle order, especially at the pivotal number four spot. This issue has prompted trials of various players, including KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav, in recent months.
The absence of Rahul and Shreyas Iyer due to injury, coupled with Suryakumar’s batting struggles, has created a pressing dilemma for India. However, former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has offered a potential solution to India’s conundrum, proposing Tilak Varma and Sanju Samson as candidates for the crucial number four position in the upcoming World Cup.
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Brad Hogg, sharing his insights on Instagram, outlined his thoughts, stating, “If they’re (Iyer and Rahul) not fit, we need a keeper in this team. I don’t think Ishan Kishan can bat lower down the order. I think he is predominantly an opener. If they open with Kishan and Rohit Sharma, I would have Tilak Varma coming in at No. 4. He has hardly played any one-day cricket. But the way he has operated in T20 cricket shows that he has got the goods for any situation.”
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Hogg further recommended the inclusion of Sanju Samson at the crucial number four position, advocating for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to open the innings. He expressed confidence that Samson could bring significant value to this role.
In another development, videos surfaced of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul engaging in a match simulation, adding to the anticipation ahead of the selection committee’s deliberations for the Asia Cup 2023 squad. The video, shared by India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, captured Shreyas Iyer batting with KL Rahul at the non-striker’s end during a practice game.
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Reports indicate that both Iyer and Rahul will only be considered for selection if they can demonstrate match fitness through a 50-over game simulation. Moreover, they need to validate their fielding fitness, while Rahul must also showcase wicketkeeping capabilities for the entire duration of a 50-over match. As pivotal pillars of India’s batting lineup, the duo faces a race against time to secure their positions in the World Cup squad.
