The 2019 World Cup brings back memories of the Indian team collapsing in the semi-final against New Zealand. Ever since a few months leading into the World, every fan had one question and that was, Who is India’s number 4 batsmen? Is it Ambati Rayudu, it is Vijay Shankar or is it MS Dhoni himself?
But as the World Cup started we saw KL Rahul bat at number 4. Followed by which Vijay Shankar was selected after Dhawan was ruled out of the tournament. It was all chaos for the Indian team as they were halfway through into the World Cup but still weren’t sure about the Number 4 batsmen.
Now after almost one year after the World cup, India’s Test specialist Ajinkya Rahane who has a decent career in the ODI format feels that he could’ve been India’s No.4 in the World Cup.
I thought I’d be India’s No.4 At The World Cup: Rahane
He has a strong case to back himself as he was India’s number 4 in the preceding 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, Rahane is now looking to make a comeback in the ODI team after being dropped in 2018.
“I was actually thinking that I would be there at the World Cup batting at no.4, But it’s gone now, you can’t think too much about it. My aim is to come back to the ODI team and do well in white-ball cricket which I am pretty confident about.” Rahane said in a virtual interaction with the media
The veteran batsman is no newbie to India’s one-day setup. He batted at number 4 for a very long time including the 2015 World Cup but was dropped after a series of low scores. Following by which he was recalled to bat at 4 during India’s 2018 tour of South Africa.
But again he couldn’t get going after a big score in the first match and was eventually not considered for that position again.
“I am hopeful I will make a comeback in white-ball cricket,” he said. “If you see my record before getting dropped in ODIs, it was really good actually. People talk about strike rates and averages but before getting dropped my record in 50-over cricket was pretty good.”
For this year’s IPL, Ajinkya Rahane switched teams in a trade deal from Rajasthan Royals to Delhi Capitals. He will be looking to perform and make a case to return to India’s LOI team. Though Delhi’s top order is packed with star players, as said he’s willing to bat down the order if required.
