With just two months to go for the ODI World Cup 2023, the anticipation surrounding India’s squad selection is growing. While fans eagerly await the announcement, former India captain and ex-BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly, has shared his thoughts, reassuring supporters that the squad won’t face any dilemmas, especially regarding the no.4 batting position.
“I saw in the newspaper that we don’t have a number 4 batter. Who said we don’t have a number 4? We have numerous batters. The ones we have, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, are all phenomenal,” Ganguly asserted at an event. He also expressed an optimistic view about Jadeja and the bowling lineup featuring Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami.
Ganguly also advocated for young talent, suggesting that Yashashvi Jaiswal could bring a fresh perspective to the team. As the injury sidelines Rishabh Pant, he believes Ishan Kishan could potentially step up to take his place. He further expressed his confidence in coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma to make the right decision in this regard.
Adding to his positive stance on upcoming stars, Ganguly described Tilak Verma as a potential choice for number 4. “Experience doesn’t matter as much. Cricketers like Tilak, Ishan Kishan, and Jaiswal will play fearlessly and give the selectors ample options,” he contended.
When asked about his top picks for victorious team contenders, Ganguly imagined a competitive tournament. “Predicting the top teams is difficult. Australia is a robust candidate, England boasts a strong squad, and one cannot disregard India and Pakistan. New Zealand also consistently performs well in such tournaments,” he noted.
On the topic of Virat Kohli’s format preferences, Ganguly acclaimed his performance capacity. He also expressed excitement about Bumrah’s return from injury and anticipation for the upcoming Ireland tour. However, he argued against the inclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin in the World Cup team, notwithstanding Ashwin’s remarkable record.
