New Delhi: With just a 50-over game to go before India play their first World Cup game starting in England May 30, the No.4 batting slot is still up for grabs and former Indian cricketer and currently a commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes Vijay Shankar should be considered for filling the position.
The name of dependable Ambati Rayudu was earlier considered during India’ tour of New Zealand where he scored 190 runs in five games at the start of the year but a series of poor performances in domestic as well as in international level has put him in contention of the 15-man squad.
Manjrekar said Shankar’s abilities to rotate the strike, besides being quite capable of going big when required, fits him in the crucial batting position. “Vijay Shankar is my No.4 for his ability to hit sixes as well as rotate the strike. Play him as a batsman. As a bowler, he’s worth only three-odd bonus overs, not seven or the full quota of 10,” the former cricketer said.
“After Rayudu’s 90 against New Zealand in Wellington, I was sure he had cemented his spot. But three low scores and the rise of Vijay Shankar thereafter have put his place in question.”
The former right-hander also added that skipper Virat Kohli shouldn’t demote his batting position as No.3 slot perfectly suits him. “He (Kohli) must bat at No.3. There is no point in demoting our best batsman, who has set the winning culture in this team,” he opined.
