Rahul Dravid: 3 Candidates Were Shortlisted For 4 & 5 Spots

image-llw7vjdzRohit Sharma (L) and Rahul Dravid (R) (Source: Twitter)

Team India have a middle-order muddle to counter. While Shreyas Iyer is declared fully fit, KL Rahul is yet to recover for a niggle and will miss at least India's first two matches in the Asia Cup 2023.

Rahul's absence means India would have to pick Ishan Kishan in their playing XI as he is the only other wicket-keeper in the squad. Kishan's position in the batting order could leave the team in clutter as from the outside, there is still confusion whether he will bat in the middle-order or as an opener.

Meanwhile, India head coach Rahul Dravid commented on the middle-order debate, saying that the team management were clear in their minds who will be the No.4 and No.5. As informed by Dravid, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were shortlisted to bat at these positions but as they got injured together, India had to experiment.

"To be honest, this word 'experimentation' is being thrown around a lot, without being thought through. I mean, it is not like we experiment just for the sake of experimentation. Sometimes there are specific reasons why you have to do certain things. The No.4 and No.5 spots are talked about a lot, and it gives the impression that we do not have clarity over who is going to be there. I could have told you 18 or 19 months ago who would have been the candidates that we are looking for the No.4 or No.5 spot that we are looking for the World Cup. It was always going to be between Shreyas, KL and Rishabh," Dravid said while addressing the media.


"There was no doubt in our mind that these three would be in the running. Obviously, it is unfortunate that all three in that position ended up with injuries in the space of a few months. What are the odds of that happening? Nobody can calculate for that," he added.

With Rahul confirmed to not take part in the group stage of the Asia Cup, India have to make a call on Kishan's batting position. Picture will get clearer when India go up against Pakistan on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.