Ravi Shastri explains why Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill shouldn’t open in World Cup

The suggestion might shock many as skipper Rohit Sharma and young Shubman Gill have the perfect blend of experience and energy. But, the point Ravi Shastri is making goes beyond basic tactics and calls for some serious strategic thinking. He is vouching for a left-hander for the opening position.

“No, that is going to be a challenge. You will have to see closer to the event. Form again becomes important. You need to strike the right balance. Do you think a left-hander will make a difference at the top? It does not have to be opening but in the top three or four. You have to weigh all those options. Ideally, in the top six, I would like to see two left-handers,” Shastri said in an interview with The Week.

Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh role in World Cup 2011 victory

To exemplify the success rate of his plan, Ravi Shastri gave the example of Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina who had a major role to play during the ICC World Cup 2011 victory for Team India.

“Whenever you have done well [left-handers contributed]. In 2011, you had [Gautam] Gambhir, Yuvraj [Singh], and [Suresh] Raina. Go back to 1974… [Alvin] Kallicharran, [Roy] Fredericks, [Clive] Lloyd… The same in 1979. The 1983 team was the only one that did not have a left-hander, but that whole tournament was against all odds. In 1987, Australia had enough… they had [Allan] Border at the top, they had another two or three, down the order. In 1996 Sri Lanka proved it again, with [Sanath] Jayasuriya, [Arjuna] Ranatunga, [Asanka] Gurusinha. And then Australia, with the Gilchrists and the Haydens. England have it now. That mix and balance has to be created,” he said.

Updated: 28 Jun 2023, 08:55 PM IST