It was a brilliant last few games for Vijay Shankar. The flamboyant cricketer has been decent in each game passing by. He impressed the Indian team management with his brilliance with the bat in New Zealand and now, against Australia. He walked in tough phases of the game and settled the ship for India. Meanwhile, Ajay Jadeja backs Vijay Shankar to bat at number 4.
The batting all-rounder has always been a scarcity for India in the International cricket. After Kapil Dev, we hardly got a player with a stature like him. After quite a time, India got a leap of faith with Hardik Pandya delivering the goods in both sections of the game. Now, they got one more player in the form of Vijay Shankar, who is a batting dominant all-rounder.
Vijay Shankar was outstanding – Ajay Jadeja
After the latest move of Virat Kohli at number 4, there were quite a few debates in the town. In one of them, Ajay Jadeja felt that Vijay Shankar got the calibre to play at any number for the team. He was impressed with the knock of Shankar in New Zealand in both ODI and T20I games.
Further, he also highlighted the fact that Vijay Shankar looked dominant more than Virat Kohli in the brief partnership between them against Australia. Ajay Jadeja believes that he can play at number 4 with Virat Kohli at number 3.
”Vijay Shankar looked a part in any number he played. He did well at any number in T20I against Kiwis. On the other day, he walked before Mahendra Singh Dhoni and had a partnership with Virat Kohli. He looked apart not just a part, in fact, he looked better in the little partnership there. On that day, he looked outstanding. He can fit wherever. He showed that” Ajay Jadeja said to Cricbuzz.
Rishabh Pant can be given chance at number 4 – Ajay Jadeja
Further, he added that the management should ask Rishabh Pant bat at number 4 and look at what he has got to deliver. It would be worth watching him bat at number 4 rather than slogging at the finisher role.
”You brought Rishabh Pant into the team. He came into the side for his batting, not for his wicketkeeping. If KL Rahul comes at 3 and Virat Kohli at 4, there is no chance for Rishabh to bat at 5,” he added.
Ajay Jadeja wants to see what Rishabh Pant has in store at number 4. He feels that it would be a great thing for India if Rishabh comes good at number 4 for the team.
”If you are looking for a young man to do the job, which MS Dhoni used to do at 6 and 7, it will be tough. So, I would be happier to see Rishabh Pant at number 4. We should see what he can offer you. It would be more fruitful than using him to slog. It is a different story at the slog,” Ajay Jadeja inferred.
All in all, it would be interesting to see how things would pan out. Most probably, India would play Virat Kohli at number 4, as Ravi Shastri is pretty determined in changing his batting order.