Not sure Dhoni and Yuvraj can both bat at No. 4 and 5 going forward: Ajit Agarkar

The Champions Trophy defeat has prompted questions on the composition of the squad. While the top order was in outstanding form, the middle order was shaky and it almost looked like the top order was over compensating for the rickety middle order by playing very cautiously at the start.

The next 50-over ICC event is two years away and India must start building a team for it already. Virat Kohli is almost certain to lead the squad into the World Cup of 2019. The problem starts when you look at No. 4 and 5, which were occupied by Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni respectively. Both are aged 35 and will be 37 by the time the mega event will commence. They did not do too badly in the recently concluded Champions Trophy but have recently started to take too much time early in the innings.

Dhoni and Yuvraj conundrum

In a discussion on the same topic with ESPNcricinfo, Ajit Agarkar and Rahul Dravid were of the opinion that India must explore new options in order to keep replacements ready. Speaking on Yuvraj and MS Dhoni, Agarkar wasn’t sure if they are the right guys to take the No. 4 and 5 slots. He highlighted that Kohli went in with an extra batsman at 6 as he wasn’t too confident about both the senior statements form.

“Four and five are pretty evident,” Agarkar said. “Virat Kohli played an extra sixth batsman – you have a [Hardik] Pandya with that kind of hitting ability, [Ravindra] Jadeja can bat, [R] Ashwin can bat, Bhuvneshwar Kumar can bat – you still play that sixth batsman as an insurance because you are not quite sure of your four and five. They have been Indian greats – MS and Yuvraj – but whether they fit in at four and five long term, or looking at 2019 World Cup, is something Virat Kohli will have to answer.

“Those are such key spots that you don’t want to then put your team under pressure, or top order under pressure, and then pick a batsman at No. 6 for insurance. I am glad they have picked Rishabh Pant for the West Indies [tour],” he said.

“I am not quite sure MS and Yuvraj can both bat at 4 and 5,” Agarkar further added. “It is not because of the final [that I am saying this]; it is almost putting too much pressure on the top three to get the bulk of the runs. Maybe Yuvraj is better off batting lower down at this stage than at No. 4, where he can go and bat freely,”

‘Bat Kedar at No. 4’

Dravid felt that Kedar Jadhav was batting too far down the order to make an impact. He might be a possible candidate to be given a run at No. 4 and if he fails, India can look at other options. He also emphasised on giving Hardik opportunities higher in the batting order to nurture the talented all-rounder.

If he wants to establish himself in the side, should he be the No. 4?” Dravid asked. “Should he actually not be sort of almost hiding at No. 6 and actually be given the opportunity to bat at four and see what he can do” If he steps up, great; if he doesn’t, then might have to look somewhere else. Kedar Jadhav is batting too low when you have someone like Hardik Pandya, who has been a find, and someone Indian cricket needs to protect and give a lot more opportunities with the bat a lot more. He is bowling his overs. He needs to be batting at four, five in certain games, just so that you can develop him, and to have that kind of allrounder is great for India.”

‘Kuldeep should be given proper game time’

India paid the price of playing two finger spinners – Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja – in the XI. Both were not effective at all and leaked runs at crucial junctures. Dravid strongly felt that India must look at a wrist spinner for ODIs. He was pleased with Kuldeep Yadav’s selection and emphasised on him getting an extended run.

“We are playing on really flat wickets,” Dravid said. “It is tough on them, and … it is not happening. If you want wickets in the middle, wrist spinners and mystery spinners are the ones who look like taking wickets on some of these flat wickets with the fielding restrictions. It is nice to have Kuldeep Yadav coming in. He needs to be given a lot more game time. He has got ability, he has got a bit of mystery about him.”