ICC World Cup 2023: "Where Will You Bring In 3 Left-handers?" - Ravichandran Ashwin Rejects Ravi Shastri's WC Suggestion

The 36-year-old India National Cricket Team off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has rejected Ravi Shastri’s suggestion that the Rohit Sharma-led side should have three left-handed batters in the top seven at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri had said that Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja are guaranteed a place in the Indian XI, and Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma should be part of the batting order as well.

Meanwhile, Ashwin reacted to Shastri’s suggestion on his YouTube channel, saying that there is no place in the Indian batting line-up to accommodate three left-handers.

“He [Ravi Shastri] brought up another point. He said we should have at least three left-handers in the top 7. Where will you bring in three left-handers?” said Ashwin.

Ravichandran Ashwin Names India’s Top 7

Ravichandran Ashwin said that India’s top 7 is almost fixed and the changes could be made only if some players are unavailable. He named Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli as the top 3 while Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja as two all-rounders.

Ravichandran Ashwin added that both KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who are nearing full fitness, will walk straight back into the playing once they are fully recovered.

“I am talking about the top 7. Hardik is a fix, and Jadeja is a fix. We have a left-hander among them.”.

“Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli are all fixed in the top 3. We don’t have a left-hander there. If KL Rahul is fit, he will be the keeper batter, and he is also a fix. If Shreyas is fit, he is also a fix,” added the spin wizard.

The Men In Blue will open their World Cup campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. Meanwhile, the high-profile battle between India and Pakistan is set for October 14 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.