World Cup 2019: India should be flexible with batting at No.4 position, says Virender Sehwag

Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels the Men in Blue need to be flexible when it comes to the batsman for the No.4 slot in the upcoming ICC World Cup. There have been a lot of debates in India over the choice of the batsman for the crucial slot after Vijay Shankar was picked for the same over Ambati Rayudu. Vijay’s poor form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 reopened the debate over his pick. However, a few former India cricketers feel the Indian side has to be flexible when picking the batter at that position.

India had been backing Ambati Rayudu for the No.4 position for some time till he failed to deliver in 2019, leading to his exclusion. It was a shocker for many as was his replacement by Vijay who made his ODI debut only early this year.

“The team will decide according to the situation. In the initial games, Vijay Shankar may bat there. But the team will be flexible. If we are thinking of winning the Cup, we should not be obsessed with such things. Anybody in the middle order should be ready to bat between No.4, 5 and 6,” Sehwag, who has played three World Cups for India and two finals (2003 and 2011), was quoted as saying during a chat with the Times of India.

He said this when asked to name the batsman India should play in the crucial position.

India’s top three batters should play for a longer duration, says Sehwag

The 40-year-old also said that one of India’s top three batsmen — Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and captain Virat Kohli — will also have to bat for a longer duration.

Sehwag was also asked for his feedback on India’s 15-man squad that would take part in the World Cup and he said unless the team makes mistakes, there is no doubt about India winning the trophy. “There is enough depth in the team,” he said.

Sehwag also said that India have played enough cricket in English conditions and there should not be any room for negativity in their approach. He said a champion team should never bother about batting first or second but begin with a positive approach.

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