Former Indian cricket team opener Virender Sehwag has expressed his belief that Shreyas Iyer has secured his place in the playing XI for the Cricket World Cup 2023 following his outstanding century against Australia in the recently concluded ODI series. Iyer’s impressive form has led Sehwag to suggest him as India’s No. 4 batsman in the World Cup.
Additionally, Sehwag has recommended KL Rahul for the No. 5 spot and all-rounder Hardik Pandya for No. 6. Consequently, he noted that the good form of established batters has meant that Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav missed out on selection.
“At No. 6 and 7 KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya will be there. So Suryakumar won’t be there at either of those positions. There is No. 5 though. But if Hardik Pandya is your sixth bowler, then Rahul will bat at No. 5, and Hardik at No. 6, then comes the bowlers. We thought Ishan Kishan could fit in somewhere in the line-up, but that hundred which Shreyas Iyer scored, if he plays at No. 4 then it will be Iyer, Rahul and Hardik at No. 4, 5 and 6 respectively,” Sehwag said. Nonetheless, Sehwag highlighted that if there›s an opportunity in the middle-order of the Indian cricket team, Ishan Kishan would likely be the preferred choice due to the current shortage of left-handed batting options in the squad.
«Now it depends on how India looks at this combination—whether they feel Hardik will certainly bowl 10 overs because that will give India an extra bowler. So then Suryakumar cannot fit in there, and even if there is a slot, then Ishan should be picked ahead because he is a left-hander,” he added. India will play their first match in the Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia on October 8.