With the Cricket World Cup less than two months away, India’s No. 4 batting position has become a topic of intense debate, primarily due to a series of injuries affecting key players. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed his worries, highlighting the lack of a consistent performer at No. 4 since Yuvraj Singh.
The Indian team has faced challenges in finding a suitable replacement throughout the year, with a growing list of injuries causing frequent changes. Since the 2019 Cricket World Cup, India has fielded 11 players at the No. 4 position in ODIs, but only Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant have batted over 10 times.
However, due to injuries, Pant is unlikely to make it to this year’s World Cup team following a car crash, while Iyer is still recovering from a back injury.
“No. 4 has been an issue for us for a long time,” admitted Rohit. “Shreyas (Iyer) has batted at No. 4 for a while and done well. Unfortunately, injuries have been a challenge. The percentage of injuries over the last 4–5 years has been significant. When players are unavailable or injured, you try different players. That’s what I have to say about No. 4.”
Speaking to reporters during a La Liga event in Mumbai, Rohit emphasised that the selection for the World Cup will be a crucial decision. Players like Iyer and KL Rahul could be options if they recover in time.
“There were so many guys who came in and went out. But injuries kept them away, they were not available, or someone lost form. Shreyas and KL are coming off not playing anything for four months—big injuries, surgeries, rather. Both had surgeries,” Rohit explained.
Rohit clarified that no one, including himself, is an automatic selection for the tournament. The selection meeting for the Asia Cup is approaching, and it will play a crucial role in finalising the squad.
“We have got a lot of names there. We will see what is the right combination for us to go in the World Cup, but before that, we have the Asia Cup,” Rohit said. He also hinted that there will be pressure on some players to perform at the Asia Cup as World Cup spots are up for grabs.
“I hope they are fit in time—firstly, that is the most important,” Rohit emphasised.
As India’s preparations for the World Cup intensify, the search for a solid No. 4 batsman continues, and the upcoming tournaments will be critical in determining the final squad.