ICC World Cup 2023: Shreyas Iyer Is Best Option At No.4 - Aakash Chopra

Former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that Shreyas Iyer is the best option for Team India at the number four batting position for ICC World Cup 2023. Aakash Chopra also added that Shreyas Iyer has batted well at the no.4 position in the past.

Shreyas Iyer is a regular member of India in ODIs for the last 3-4 years. However, he faced a back injury during the IND vs AUS ODI series in March earlier this year. Later, he underwent back surgery and has been out of the field for a long time.

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Shreyas Iyer Is the Best Option At No.4 For India: Aakash Chopra

While speaking on his YouTube channel, cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra said that if Shreyas Iyer is fit and available, there is no better option than him at the no.4 batting position for India for ICC World Cup 2023.

“Who generally plays at No. 4 or used to play? Shreyas Iyer played at No. 4 and in whatever matches he has played, Iyer has actually done really well. Things became slightly topsy-turvy after his unavailability, but if Shreyas Iyer is fit and available, you cannot think of a better option than him at No. 4 at this point in time,” the 45-year-old said.

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Aakash Chopra, who represented India in 10 Tests during his international career, also added that Shreyas Iyer’s availability is a big concern for his selection in the forthcoming ICC World Cup 2023.

“However, the first thing is his availability because he has not yet started playing. He is not part of the team that is currently there in the West Indies. Then you see the Asia Cup, three matches vs Australia and then the World Cup. So you have to get your fitness and form within one month,” Chopra further added.

According to some reports, Iyer has started net practice and recovered from his surgery. However, he is yet to take the field for India. He last played in IND vs AUS Test series in March.

The right-handed batsman is not part of the upcoming ODI series West Indies. The Kolkata Knight Riders captain did not play in IPL 2023. Since ICC World Cup 2023 begins on October 5, Shreyas Iyer has just a few months left to get fit.

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However, it is to be noted that Asia Cup 2023 will happen just before the ICC World Cup 2023 in September. If Iyer needs to play in ICC World Cup 2023, he needs to be part of the Asia Cup 2023. Otherwise, he can lose his spot to someone else.

Interestingly, Suryakumar Yadav replaced Iyer during the IND vs AUS ODI series in the middle-order. However, the 32-year-old batter came up with a miserable show, getting out for golden ducks in all three ODI games against Australia.