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Rohit Sharma's 'Flexibility' Theory In Batting Slammed By WC Winner

image-llw73u5fRohit Sharma (Twitter)

Rohit Sharma, alongside BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, unveiled India’s 17-player squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 last week. During the press conference, the Indian captain said that the team management wants every batter in the line-up to be mentally prepared to bat anywhere, regardless of their specialist position.

Sharma’s comments did not seem to have gone down well with India’s 1983 World Cup-winning all-rounder Madan Lal, who claimed that it was weird for a team captain to have said that.


Madan Lal calls Rohit Sharma’s theory ‘weird’

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, during the Asia Cup 2023 squad announcement, said:

"One thing I want in this team is to make sure everyone is okay to bat anywhere. That's one thing we need to keep in mind. You need flexibility, guys who can step up at any position. No one should say, 'I'm good at this position or I'm good at that position'. You want guys to be able to bat anywhere, that's the message conveyed to every individual. Not now, but over the last three-fours years."

Former all-rounder and an ex-BCCI selector himself, Madan Lal lambasted the theory and stated that everyone should bat in their preferred positions as the Indian team would be looking for good performances from their middle-order to win the Asia Cup 2023.

The 1983 World Cup alumnus also claimed that players will not gain confidence if the team management keeps on shuffling the batting order. Lal further stated that it was weird on Rohit Sharma’s part to consider such a theory in the first place.

"Specialist batters should bat in their preferred positions. If India want to win the Asia Cup and World Cup, they need good performances from No.4 to No.8."

“If you keep shuffling your batting order then no one will gain confidence. If your top-order starts well then your middle-order needs to carry that momentum to put up a good total and if the top-order fails then also if the players in the middle bat well you can get to a good total. So it's a specialist position. I felt weird that the captain said anybody can bat anywhere."

Regardless over their difference of opinion, Rohit Sharma and co. are currently gearing up for their opening Asia Cup 2023 game on September 2. They are set to face arch-rivals Pakistan at Kandy’s Pallekele Stadium.

Sharma will be accompanied by fellow seniors Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya, as well as comeback veterans KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah in the line-up.

The continental event serves as one of India’s final dress rehearsals ahead of the impending ODI World Cup 2023 at home later this year.