If Jadeja is Batting No 7, That's Enough Batting Depth,' Sanjay Bangar Shares His Thoughts on India's WC Squad

Sanjay Bangar, the former Indian batter and coach, believes that India will have enough batting depth when the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja comes in at the number seven spot to bat. Team India is set to face Pakistan in the Super 4 stage in the 2023 Asia Cup which will take place in the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

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Bangar believes that the wicket-keeper batter, Ishan Kishan has grabbed his opportunity after scoring a crucial 82 runs whilst hitting nine boundaries and two sixes making a run for KL Rahul’s spot in the middle order.

Bangar also added, “There is a good chance he will play the first World Cup game as well because it’s impossible to keep him out after the kind of innings that he played. He has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and KL Rahul coming back from an injury is always going to be a little risky.”

He believes that India can have enough batting depth when Jadeja bats at seven and does not feel the need to play another all-rounder. The Indian squad comprises four all-rounders in the World Cup squad with the likes of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur.

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Bangar said, “I have always believed that you have got to have quality players who come in when their primary skill is going to be exceptional. I don’t India should be looking out for an all-rounder. If Jadeja is going to be batting at No. 7, I think that’s enough batting depth.”

He also emphasised that Team India should not sacrifice the bowling quality in order to gain more depth in the batting unit. The Indian team had played Shardul Thakur instead of Mohammed Shami in their first game against Pakistan in the group stages of the Asia Cup.

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Bangar added, “Let’s not sacrifice the quality of bowling because then you are leaving a Shami out and getting a Shardul Thakur in. I wouldn’t go in that way but there is a chance that India might actually have somebody like Shardul Thakur just to have a little more batting depth.”

Pakistan will come in with two full matches behind them which they won in dominant fashion. India will have had one game where they batted for the full quota of 50 overs and one game where they bowled properly. The two sides will meet in the rematch of the Titans in Colombo on September 10.