I would love to see Ajinkya Rahane in the ODI World Cup squad: Sreesanth

Former India pacer S Sreesanth expressed that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ajinkya Rahane could be a good fit in India’s ODI World Cup squad. Notably, Rahane was named in the 15-member contingent that will travel to England for the eagerly-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) Final.

With a massive change in approach towards his batting, Rahane has taken the ongoing IPL 2023 by storm with his blazing knocks. The 34-year-old has compiled impressive scores of 61, 31, 37, 9, 71*, and 15 in his recent outings thus far with an aggregate of 224 runs at a decent average of 44.80. 

With this, 2011 World Cup-winner, Sreesanth, backed the Maharashtra-born batter to feature in the forthcoming ODI mega event. He further added that Rahane would be a good fit at the no. 4 spot in the squad.

“I would love to see him in the squad. The way he is performing, especially with the World Cup happening in India. That will be one of the boldest moves the selectors can make. I am very confident he will do well in the World Test Championship final. But he shouldn’t look at by that performance,” Sreesanth told Star Sports.

“He should be given the opportunity (ODI). Let’s see if there are other tournaments, if he is given the white-ball cricket back to him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him going at No. 4 and winning matches for the country,” he added.

Good idea but not at the moment: Sunil Gavaskar

India great Sunil Gavaskar, who was also present in the segment, shared his stance as he said that the move may not be ideal at the moment. However, he backed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who are also relishing a fine season in the league, to bat in the middle order if given a chance.

“Yes, I think it’s a good idea but I would say not at the moment. White-ball game, no Test match definitely yes, but white-ball game, no, I would look at somebody else. Maybe somebody who has been doing well in the white-ball format. Somebody like an opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad, if they don’t find place at the top of the order, they can bat in the middle-order,” Gavaskar said.

Jaiswal has collected 428 runs in nine matches which includes one ton and three fifties whereas Gaikwad has amassed 354 runs in 10 matches with two half-centuries.