Ganguly believes Kohli, Iyer, and Rahul are all viable options for the No. 4 position, according to him.
Sourav Ganguly, former cricket captain, dismisses No. 4 concerns, lauding India’s versatile options—Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul. Emphasizes adaptability over fixed positions, asserting no single slot wins World Cup.
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated Asia Cup and the forthcoming ODI World Cup, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed confidence in India’s batting lineup and dismissed concerns about the No. 4 batting position. Ganguly emphasized that India has a wealth of options for the much-discussed No. 4 slot, naming Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul as strong contenders.
Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Ganguly challenged the conventional notion of rigid batting positions, stating, “No. 4 is just a number, anyone can fit in. I really don’t think that anybody is born as an opener or No. 3 or No. 4.” Ganguly drew parallels from his own career trajectory, highlighting that both he and Sachin Tendulkar had shifted batting positions during their careers, adapting to the team’s needs.
Ganguly, a former middle-order batsman who transformed into a successful opener, shared his perspective on the matter: “So anybody can play at No. 4. There’s Virat Kohli for No. 4; there’s Shreyas Iyer once he does well at the Asia Cup; there’s KL Rahul. India has enormous talent.”
Refuting concerns over the No. 4 position, Ganguly emphasized that a single batting slot doesn’t determine a team’s success in major tournaments. He stressed the need for selectors to identify a candidate for the role and provide them consistent opportunities: “One batting slot doesn’t make so much of a difference because you don’t win a World Cup just with No. 4. There’s no hard and fast rule that you need someone at No. 4, all you need to do is decide and let them play [at that position].”
India is set to host the ODI World Cup later this year, with the last time they hosted the tournament resulting in their victorious 2011 campaign. Ganguly expressed his faith in the team’s potential and their ability to deliver on the international stage. He stated, “I have a lot of faith in this team, and hopefully, we’ll see a side that will play the Asia Cup, the Australia series, and the World Cup.”
Ganguly also acknowledged the depth of India’s bowling resources, including the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who showcased promising form in recent matches. He mentioned the presence of other key bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, as well as the spin options provided by Ravindra Jadeja and wrist spinners like Kuldeep Yadav. Ganguly expressed confidence in the selection process, emphasizing that the challenge lies not in the resources available but in making the right choices.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the Asia Cup and the World Cup, Ganguly’s optimism and pragmatic perspective on India’s batting lineup have injected renewed hope and excitement into the cricketing community.
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