World Cup 2019: Former cricketer, coach Anshuman Gaekwad wants Kedar Jadhav at No.4

Just when the Indian fans were feeling assured about their team’s batting after solid performances against South Africa, Australia, and Pakistan, bottom-ranked Afghanistan exposed the weak links of the Men in Blue side. In their clash in Southampton on Saturday where the Indian fans were even hoping that the team will make some kind of history, the batting department ceased the fire. Afghanistan succeeded in restricting India to just 224 for 8 but fell short by just 11 runs, thanks to the former champions’ bowling brilliance.

Apart from Kohli who scored 67 off 63, none of the others could find their fluent touch against winless Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma, who already has two centuries under his belt in this World Cup, was back in the hut after scoring 1 run in 10 balls while his opening partner KL Rahul made 30 off 53. However, the biggest disappointment of the day was MS Dhoni who could contribute only 28 runs but ate up 52 balls.

The insipid batting performance brought the debate over No.4 batting slot out in the open again. Vijay Shankar, who found a place in the side after Shikhar Dhawan was ruled out of the tournament with a broken thumb, came in at N0.4 in the game but struggled with a 41-ball 29. The chorus is back to give the young Rishabh Pant a chance at No.4 since he is now in the squad as a replacement for Dhawan.

However, former India cricketer and coach Anshuman Gaekwad feels Kedar Jadhav should be picked ahead of Pant for the same position. In fact, Pant is not even his second preference for the spot but Dinesh Karthik, the second keeper in the team.

“Kedar Jadhav is a smart cricketer. He is a busy player and can rotate the strike. He can also play his shots. I think he should bat at No.4,” Timesnownews.com cited reports quoting Gaekwad, who played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs, as saying. Jadhav, in fact, gave the Indian innings some shape in the game against Afghanistan by scoring 52 off 68 balls.

Karthik is Gaekwad’s other option

“The other option is Dinesh Karthik. He has the experience and is a proven finisher. He likes to take his time at the crease and that is important when India are in trouble. You need someone who can stem the rot along with Virat (Kohli).” Karthik is yet to play his first game of the cricket World Cup.

In two matches in the tournament so far, India promoted Hardik Pandya at No.4 to accelerate scoring after their openers gave the side a strong foundation. Rahul had batted at No.4 in the South Africa match and now Vijay came out in that position against Afghanistan. The selectors had picked Vijay ahead of Ambati Rayudu to play in the No.4 position though Rahul’s century at No.4 in the warm-up game against Bangladesh had booked the slot for him. But with Dhawan no more in the side, his role has now changed into that of an opener.