Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones has come up with a suggestion for Indian cricket just ahead of their match against England. He has suggested MS Dhoni should bat at number four in the current set up. To him, although Vijay Shankar is the current number four bat for India, Dhoni would be the best fit.
The Number Four Saga
The number four position controversy doesn’t seem to go from Indian cricket. India’s World Cup team selection was highlighted by the same. KL Rahul, after the good showcase in warm-up matches, got the opportunity to bat at the number in initial matches. But the exclusion of Shikhar Dhawan from the team shifted him up to the line up as an opener giving the opportunity to Vijay Shankar. But Shankar failed to prove himself as a good bat in the two matches he played. So, with the World Cup getting more tense and heated, the controversy seems to be back.
Dhoni Should Bat at Number Four
Dean Jones in the same line opined that Dhoni should be the ideal number four batsman for the Indian team. He opined, “Normally I don’t like touching the team when it’s flying and India is flying at the moment but I have got a concern with the player at number four. I have no problem with MS Dhoni going there and Jadeja coming in a little later which gives you a spin option.”
Ideal Replacement
Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik are waiting for opportunities in the dressing room. Technically if Shankar is dropped, one of them should get chance. If Dhoni comes up at number four, the replacement has to lead the tail. Jones also said that a left-handed option at the lower order should be beneficial for India. “I think the pitches are getting a little more tired as the tournament progresses so you need that left-hander down there to help you a little bit. But I’ll have faith and give it one more go,” he added.
Going by Jones, Pant should be the ideal replacement. So it will be interesting to see how India shape the team in the next match against England.
Also read: List of ICC cricket world cup winners of all time
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