WC 2019: Kedar Jadhav should bat at no. 4, says former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad

Gaekwad picked all-rounder Kedar Jadhav over Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar as the best option to bat on the much-debated number four spot in the Indian team

Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad has picked all-rounder Kedar Jadhav over Rishabh Pant and Vijay Shankar as the best option to bat on the much-debated number four spot in the Indian team. With in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan getting ruled out of the tournament following an injury, debate over number 4 spot again became the hot topic for discussion; especially after India's poor batting show against underdogs Afghanistan and in today's game against Windies. India all-rounder Vijay Shnakar came in to bat at no. 4 against Windies only to become Roach's 2nd victim after edging a full delivery to wicket-keeper Shai Hope. Fans on Twitter expressed their anger after Shankar’s dismissal with many suggesting for young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant to replace him in rest of India matches in the ongoing marquee event. Speaking to IANS, Gaekwad said: “Kedar Jadhav is a smart cricketer. He is a busy player and can rotate the strike. He can also play his shots. I think he should bat at no. 4.” Gaekwad further named wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik as the second best option after Jadhav. “The other option is Dinesh Karthik. He has the experience and is a proven finisher. He likes to take his time at the crease and that is important when India are in trouble. You need someone who can stem the rot along with Virat (Kohli),” he said. Speaking on Pant, Gaekwad said: “He is certainly not my no.4. He is good striker of the ball. But at the position, you need someone who can stay at the crease. I don’t think I will play him at that position.” The 66-year-old further slammed India’s shot selection against Afghanistan. “There was no need to play the reverse sweep during that time. He was impatient and paid the price for it,” he said of Rahul’s dismissal. “Also Shankar, what was the need to try a sweep? It was not as if the Afghanistan bowlers were doing wonders. They stuck to a good line and length. The need of the hour was to play through the line,” he added.