Ravi Shastri calls for inclusion of two left-handed batters in India's top six for World Cup 2023

Ravi Shastri believes India has a great chance to win the 2023 ODI World Cup at home.

The 2023 ODI World Cup is the biggest event to take place this year. India will host the megaevent at home between October and November. Notably, the Men in Blue haven't won any ICC tournament since the last time, when MS Dhoni led the country to win the 2023 Champions Trophy in England. This title drought is getting wider with every ICC tournament passing by. But what could India do to win an ICC trophy? Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has come up with a suggestion.

India is a batting-heavy unit and won the 2011 World Cup at home under MS Dhoni. Thus, they will be one of the favorites to win the upcoming event at home. But Shastri feels that India should go with a bunch of experience and youth, which can settle the balance of the team. He also reckons that India should have at least two left-handers in the top six to make it a bit more challenging for the opposition bowlers.

"Would like to see two left-handers in top six"- Ravi Shastri

In an interaction with The Week, the former Indian head coach was asked whether the Indian batting has too many right-handers or if a left-hander can make an impact? Shastri replied, "You need to strike the right balance. Do you think a left-hander will make a difference at the top? It does not have to be opening but in the top three or four. You have to weigh all those options. Ideally, in the top six, I would like to see two left-handers."

Notably, Rishabh Pant who was an important left-hander batter in the Indian squad, is out of action after suffering a horrible car accident in December 2023. India tried Ishan Kishan on some occasions but he couldn't make the impact as it was expected of him. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is another left-hander but he hasn't batted much in the top six. With the World Cup starting within four months, India needs to find the right balance. 

Shastri also said that India have enough options in Yashaasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma, who are ready to replace anyone in the team if required. He also praised Sanju Samson, who has made his ODI comeback for the West Indies tour, and said that Samson is yet to show his real strength and can prove to be a match-winner for the team.

The 61-year-old added, "Because of the IPL, you see an abundance of high-quality, young, white-ball players. But, one should not get carried away by that and think they should be automatic red-ball choices." However, he also said that the test cap can't be given after a good IPL season; the player should have a good temperament and the desire to fight.