Senior India off-spinner R Ashwin has labeled Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul as the successors of Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, respectively, for the number 4 and 5 positions in India’s ODI team.
With the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023, India have been given a boost as both Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are declared fit and both have crucial roles to play in the upcoming two tournaments.
Even before Rishabh Pant’s car accident which ruled him out for the entire 2023, KL Rahul had donned the wicket-keeper’s gloves and batted in the middle-order when in 2019 and 2020 Pant was out of form and was dropped.
KL Rahul also was the keeper-batsman in the middle-order in Bangladesh ODIs last year and has done the role this year at the start against Australia before he got injured in the IPL.
In his YouTube video while talking about KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, Ravichandran Ashwin pointed out that KL Rahul has excellent numbers at number 5: in 18 ODI innings at number 3, Rahul averages 53 and has a strike rate of 99 with one century and 7 fifties.
“Ever since Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni retired, India were desperately looking for a replacement. Rahul has filled that slot with expertise. He is a definite lock at No5 and is also our wicketkeeper-batsman,” Ashwin said.
“Before Pant’s injury, Rahul was second in line and now Ishan Kishan is the second keeper, he has grabbed that opportunity with both hands. Rahul has some niggle but hopefully, he will be ready for the first game. If he is not we have an 18-member travelling with squad in Sanju Samson,” he added.
If Iyer is fit, there should be no debate on No.4 position: R Ashwin
The number 4 position had looked sealed when Shreyas Iyer was doing well, but he picked up a back injury in March and was out of action. He will make his comeback in the Asia Cup.
Shreyas has good record at number 4: in 18 ODI knocks at this slot, Iyer averages 47 with a strike rate of 94, having notched up 2 centuries and 5 fifties.
“Shreyas Iyer is as important as KL Rahul to this side. One of the best players in the Indian line-up against spin and a consistent No.4 for India. He has played a crucial part in their success whenever he has played at 4. If he is completely fit to play, there should be no debate on No.4 position,” Ashwin opined.
India’s first match in the Asia Cup is on 2nd September against Pakistan in Pallekele.
