Indian veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin feels that the Indian team management should stick with the same top-3 going into the Asia Cup 2023. There were talks around a change in India’s batting order going into the continental event to have a left-right combination at the top of the order.
Many suggested that Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli go one step down in the batting to bring Ishan Kishan to the top of the order. This move could be an option for the team following Ishan Kishan’s brilliance opening batting against West Indies in the three-match ODI series.
Speaking on his youtube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin defended Rohit Sharma’s decision to play Virat Kohli at the No.3 position despite a suggestion to move him down to the crucial No.4 spot in the team and believes that India’s top order is the biggest match-winner for the Men in Blue in the ODI format.
“Many ex-players including Ravi Bhai (Shastri) have said that Virat Kohli if needed, should be made ready for No.4. But Rohit has rubbished these talks and has locked in Kohli at No.3. Gill, Rohit, and Kohli are not only our engine room but also biggest match-winners in this format,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.
Suryakumar Yadav had the chance to nail his spot by delivering in the middle order but hasn’t performed up to his potential in the ODI cricket failing to make an impact for the team in the West Indies. With Shreyas Iyer returning to the team for the Asia Cup, he will likely take up the No.4 spot in the team with young Tilak Varma waiting in the wings for his opportunity.
Ishan Kishan Has Fielded Well Too And Has Scored A Double Hundred – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin feels that India has locked their openers going into the Asia Cup 2023 with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma taking up the spot at the top and believes that Ishan Kishan can be a backup option as an opener and wicket-keeper in the team.
“When it comes to openers, Gill and Rohit are locked. In case one of them isn’t available, you have the backup opener/wicketkeeper in Ishan Kishan. He has fielded well too and has scored a double hundred as well. So the opener/wicketkeeper backup gives the team that combination and balance,” Ravichandran Ashwin added.
Ishan Kishan was the best batter for the Indian team in the West Indies ODI series scoring three consecutive half-centuries for the team and it will be interesting to see whether he is given the opportunity to open the batting for the team in the continental event.