We Lacked Stability At Number 4 During ICC World Cup 2019 - Ravi Shastri
Published - 14 Feb 2020, 08:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:02 AM
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The Semifinal loss in the hands of New Zealand during the ICC World Cup 2019 is one of the saddest moments in the current calendar year for Indian fans. They failed to chase the moderate total set by Kane Williamson-led side to make an exit from the prestigious event. Speaking of the same, the head coach Ravi Shastri revealed that he wanted Virat Kohli to bat at number four for the team. It was a position, which troubled India during the ICC event.
India played with solid top-order in the name of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, who was replaced by KL Rahul in the middle of the tournament. Despite having such a blistering lineup at the top, the Indian team failed to prepare a settled middle-order for the grand event. The young Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Dinesh Karthik failed to live up to the expectations, which saw India ending on the wrong side of things.
We were top-heavy – Ravi Shastri
India had tried numerous players, including Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant at the spot ahead of the 2019 World Cup. Unfortunately, none of the players settled in the side for obvious reasons. Rayudu wasn’t selected while Vijay Shankar was injured during the practice session. KL Rahul shifted back to top-order while Rishabh Pant was inexperienced.
With all the options resulting negatively, the head coach Ravi Shastri had thought of demoting Virat Kohli in the batting order. However, he wasn’t brave enough in operating the decision, which didn’t help the team. Speaking of the same, Ravi Shastri admitted that it was a mistake of him and the team management.
“We lacked stability there (No. 4 at World Cup). That’s why it crossed my mind many times to ask Virat to bat at 4. We were top-heavy. Just to split the top-heaviness and making someone else bat at 3. This did cross my mind. Many times because I knew in the big game that could be the most important position. So we have learnt from that,” Ravi Shastri said in the 3rd episode of India Today Inspiration.
Shreyas Iyer realised what he can do at number 4:
Further, the head coach Ravi Shastri feels that Shreyas Iyer has sorted the issue for India at the moment. He believes the young Mumbai batsman learnt how to bat at number 4 position for the team.
“The way he is batting now, if he doesn’t own that position, I will be very very surprised. He is 24-25 years but he has played so much first-class cricket. I think he has realised what he can do at No. 4. That’s the most important thing.” Shastri said.
