‘Saare bowlers ko rakhlo batting unhi se karwa Lena’ – Fans react as Ravi Shastri, MSK Prasad and Sandeep Patil pick their India’s squad for Asia Cup 2023

There are less than 2 months remaining for the much-awaited ODI World Cup 2023 as the grand event is set to be kicked off on October 5 with the 2019 finalists England and New Zealand clashing against each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketers Ravi Shastri, MSK Prasad and Sandeep Patil picked up their combined XI of India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Shastri picked up Ishan Kishan and said Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill can be India’s no. 2 or 3.

“(Kishan should bat) right at the top, nowhere else. The others have to be flexible. between Rohit Virat and Shubman Gill, that can be your No.2, 3 and 4. And a very important point is, I was a coach at that time, and I keep saying that people don’t give the credit that Shikhar Dhawan deserves. 

I mean, that guy was an amazing player. You mention the World Cup in 2019 where we lost that semifinal, when we had a brilliant World Cup, he was the missing man there. You know, that made such a big difference – a left-hander at the top of the order, as opposed to three right-handers with the ball swinging away, which allowed teams to get a grip on where to bowl and bowl consistently,” Shastri was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

I will go with Shubman Gill looking at his form: Sandeep Patil

Prasad agreed with Shastri and said that there is no point in playing Kishan at the no. 4 or 5 position as he has shown great performances while opening the innings only. “If you are looking at Shubman Gill to open with Rohit. Then slotting in Ishan Kishan will be a problem. If you see some of the roles that he has played at No.4 or No.5, don’t think he has justified his talent,” he said.

On the other hand, Patil has different thoughts as he said, “I will go with Shubman Gill looking at his form. I understand the argument that Ravi and MSK made (in favour of Kishan). But it is very important for the team’s sake. I don’t agree that Rohit Sharma will be more comfortable with a left-handed opening partner. Gill should open with him,” he said.

Here’s how fans reacted:

https://twitter.com/PRANILP85987563/status/1692051340527382593?s=20

https://twitter.com/Mani_8999/status/1692034023290437694?s=20