‘No such temptations’: Vikram Rathour on changing Shreyas Iyer’s batting position | Cricket News – Times of India
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Iyer recently made his comeback after recovering from a back injury and reclaimed his spot at the crucial number four position in the batting order. Unfortunately, in India’s opening match against Australia, he faced an early setback, scoring a three-ball duck.
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During the chase for a target of 200 runs, India faced trouble as both openers, Ishan Kishan and skipper Rohit Sharma, were dismissed without scoring any runs.
Former Indian cricket star Yuvraj Singh expressed dismay at Iyer’s dismissal, as he attempted a casual drive that was caught by David Warner at short cover.
“No. 4 batsman has to absorb the pressure,” tweeted Yuvraj, India’s trusted number four for a long time, as he asked for “better thinking” from Iyer when team is trying to rebuild their innings.
Number five Rahul made an unbeaten 97 to secure India’s victory after forging a match-winning partnership with Virat Kohli in Chennai.
Asked if they were tempted to play Rahul ahead of Iyer, Rathour said; “No, not at the moment, because he (Rahul) is doing so well at number five and Shreyas has done really well for us at number four.
“So absolutely no such temptations.”
With preferred opener Shubman Gill laid low by dengue, Kishan is likely to continue as an opener even though India would ideally have liked him in the middle order.
Rathour said the left-hander had clear ideas about his new role.
“He has played as an opener. He understands the moment, that was the reason he has been in the team,” Rathour said.
“We knew that he can bat top of the order or in the middle order. He has done that before.
“So, no specific discussion on that. Just hoping that he comes good tomorrow.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
