ICC World Cup 2023: Suryakumar Yadav Or Sanju Samson? Shikhar Dhawan Reveals India's Number 4 In WC 2023

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan has revealed his choice for India’s number 4 in the ICC World Cup 2023. With less than two months remaining for the all-important ODI World Cup to begin, the middle order is once again a huge concern for Team India. India has been desperately searching for a reliable number four batsman ever since the legendary Yuvraj Singh hung up his boots.

After a lot of candidates failed to deliver at that position, Shreyas Iyer finally managed to deliver as a No.4 batsman. However, the right-handed batsman is currently sidelined with a back injury and it would not be surprising at all if he goes on to miss the World Cup.

Iyer suffered the injury during the Ahmedabad Test against Australia in March this year and had to undergo surgery for the same. While he has resumed batting in the nets, there are still doubts over his participation in the upcoming World Cup.

Shikhar Dhawan on Shreyas Iyer’s replacement:

Even if Shreyas Iyer gets fit just in time for the World Cup, he is unlikely to get a place in the playing eleven straight away due to a lack of match practice. In such a situation, the team management would definitely like to have an apt replacement for the star batsman.

And while only time will tell who replaces Iyer in the team as No.4, veteran batsman Shikhar Dhawan has revealed his choice. As of now, several candidates are in contention for the spot.

The players who are leading the race are Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and even Tilak Varma has now joined the race. Some even want Ishan Kishan to bat at that position. But as far as Shikhar Dhawan is concerned, he has backed Suryakumar Yadav to replace Iyer.

“I would go with Surya at four as he is an experienced player and has been playing international cricket for a while,” Shikhar Dhawan told news agency PTI on Thursday.

The concern with Suryakumar Yadav is his poor record in ODIs so far. While he has been performing extremely well in the 20-over format, his record in ODIs is really disappointing. The right-handed batsman has a modest average of 24.33 in 26 matches.

During the three-match ODI series against Australia at home this year, he was out for a duck in each of the three matches. He also looked unimpressive during the recent ODI series against West Indies, scoring 19, 24 and 35. Talking about the World Cup, the tournament is scheduled to be played from October 5 to November 19.