 |
| file |
Ahead of the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023, the former Indian head coach has advised Team India to introduce at least two or three left-handed batters in their batting line-up. He also suggested changing the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to achieve the right balance for the team. This World Cup will be held entirely in India for the first time.
The former coach, in an interview with The Week, acknowledged the challenge of making such decisions closer to the event, taking into account the players' current form. He emphasized the importance of finding the right balance and questioned whether having a left-hander at the top of the batting order would make a difference, though it doesn't necessarily have to be in the opening position. He suggested considering left-handers in the top three or four positions and recommended having at least two left-handers in the top six.
To support his point, he mentioned the positive impact of left-handers like Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina in India's successful 2011 ODI World Cup campaign. He further cited examples from previous World Cups, highlighting the contribution of left-handers in teams that achieved success. He mentioned players like Alvin Kallicharran, Roy Fredericks, Clive Lloyd in 1974, the absence of left-handers in the 1983 team but their triumphant campaign, the presence of left-handers in the 1987 Australian squad, the Sri Lankan team of 1996 with Sanath Jayasuriya, Arjuna Ranatunga, and Asanka Gurusinha, and the left-handed powerhouses in the Australian and current England teams.
The former coach emphasized the need to create the right mix and balance in the batting line-up, considering the impact left-handers can have in shaping the team's performance.
© https://www.cricketkeedaa.com/
