With less than three weeks to go for the Asia Cup 2023 and less than two months out from the World Cup 2023, the Rohit Sharma led Indian team is pondering over making a massive change in their plans and batting line-up.
It has now been learned that India captain and opener Rohit Sharma could slot down to number 4 in the upcoming Asia Cup as there is uncertainty around the fitness and availability of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.
KL Rahul is recovering from a thigh surgery while Iyer from a back surgery. Both the right-handers are currently sweating it out at the NCA in Bangalore in a bid to be fit for the continental event that will kick-start on August 30 in Pakistan while India’s matches will be hosted by Sri Lanka.
The Indian Express has now reported that the Indian team management, headed by coach Rahul Dravid, might push Rohit Sharma to the vacant number 4 spot.
In the absence of Shreyas Iyer, India had two contenders in Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, but neither of them has been able to cement his place. With the Asia Cup looming, and the management yet unclear on whether Iyer and Rahul will be fit in time, Rohit Sharma could be seen walking in at number 4 in the Asia Cup.
Rohit Sharma could move down at number 4; Ishan Kishan will open then
This would mean that Ishan Kishan, who is the backup keeper to KL Rahul, could open with Shubman Gill. Ishan did very well in the West Indies as an opener, notching up 3 fifties in 3 ODIs, and bagged the Player of the Series award.
Earlier KL Rahul was reported to be fit in time for the Asia Cup, but it has now been learned that he will undergo a fitness test on August 18, post which the selectors will announce the Asia Cup squad. Should KL Rahul not make the continental event, then one of Samson or Suryakumar Yadav will get in the line-up and both might get a place in the squad.
There is also a left-field choice of young Tilak Varma, who has been massively impressive in his 3 T20I appearances so far, displaying great temperament and quality. But will the selectors take a punt on Varma who hasn’t played an ODI yet? That is unlikely, although Rohit Sharma had huge words of praise for the youngster.
While KL Rahul stands a slim chance of making the Asia Cup squad, Shreyas Iyer is unlikely to be declared fit anytime soon, and that’s why perhaps Rohit Sharma is strongly considering moving himself to number 4.
