India made a mistake of not taking a proper No.4 for the 2019 World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar

The moment when India crumbled during the 2019 World Cup semis against New Zealand still hurts millions of Indian fans around the world. Sadly, it also turned out to be the legendary MS Dhoni’s last international outing for the Men in Blue. Talking in the same light, former captain and an excellent batsman Sunil Gavaskar opined that lack of a proper no.4 batsman during the 2019 World Cup could’ve been the very reason why India lost in the mega event.

The commentator was, recently, asked how India lost the WC 19 even being so close to the trophy. He was also asked about the capabilities of Virat Kohli as a captain keeping in mind the three World Cups coming down the line in the next three years. Gavaskar emphasized on the fact that a skipper needs to win world-level tournaments to be considered as great.

“Agree with you. I think a captain is actually defined by the World Championships or World Cups that he wins. You can win the Asia Cups, which is fantastic but you also want to win the World Cup because that is where your standing as a captain is actually going to be enhanced,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying during a conversion show ‘Inspiration’ on India Today. 

Middle-order isn’t getting fair time on field: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar spoke about the fact that India’s top-order has been so dominant over years that the middle-order doesn’t even get fair time to spend in the middle. And when the top-order perishes early, the batsmen thereafter looks a tad hapless. 

“What I feel is India’s top 3 batting lineup is such a fabulous batting lineup that often it has happened that Nos. 4 and 5 at the initial stages of the World Cups haven’t really got an opportunity to play long innings, to get their eye in, to feel the ball in the middle of their bat.”

He concluded by stating the opinion that India did lack proper no 4 back in 2019 during World Cup who could’ve saved things for us. “I think we made a mistake by not having a proper No.4 for the 2019 World Cup. If we had a proper No.4 for the World Cup, then it might have been a completely different story.”

KL Rahul played at the number.4 slot for the Men in Blue after Ambati Rayudu couldn’t make it to the final list.