Asia Cup 2023: Former Cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Tom Moody Analyze Indian Squad Flexibility

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Former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Tom Moody shared their views on the flexibility of the Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. The squad was announced in the presence of captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar.

The Indian Asia Cup squad will be led by Rohit and includes three spin options, six pace bowling options and two wicketkeepers with one back up player to cover for a player, who is returning from injury.

India has included Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, who are returning from injury. So, the debate about the batting order and the worrisome number four slot has continued with suggestions of Virat Kohli taking the spot.

"Flexibility" according to Sanjay Manjrekar

Manjrekar emphasized that he expects a certain kind of flexibility in the Indian line-up. He mentioned using Kohli as a number four batsman to solve issues with Ishan Kishan batting lower down the order.

"I will make a quick point though; let's not confuse flexibility, the kind of flexibility that I expect. For example, where I mentioned Kohli as a number 4 to solve the problem with Kishan batting down the order, that's the kind of flexibility that I'm talking about in the starting template," Manjrekar told Star Sports.

"Now, what happens during the course of the match down the order at number 4, 5, 6; you have two spinners operating, turning a bit, then those kinds of moves are commonplace and something that you expect."

However, he clarified that this flexibility, including the positions of all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, should be part of the starting template rather than during the course of a match.

"Somebody like Pandya coming in and there is an off-spinner, or Jadeja coming up before left-arm spinner's bowling, now those are okay. I think with the starting template or with the plan at the start of the game switching an important position. The whole debate really is about how your 4, 5, 6 are going to look," Manjrekar added.

"KL Rahul, I worry about the selection with this niggle; Shreyas Iyer more optimistic and both Ravi (Shastri) and myself when we talked about Virat Kohli at number 4, that's the kind of flexibility I'm talking about, not while the match is happening and just for a short time where somebody can tackle a particular bowler."

Rohit had said Flexibility in the mind and flexibility in the middle order will be key for India to unlock their batting potential in the upcoming ODI tournaments - Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023.

"One thing I want in this team is to make sure everyone is okay to bat anywhere," Rohit had said on Monday (August 21) during the press conference to announce India's Asia Cup squad in New Delhi.

"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-four years."

Tom Moody's take on Rohit Sharma's statement

Moody agreed with Rohit's statement about having an open mind and being flexible in modern-day cricket. He highlighted the importance of considering match-ups but also stressed on having stability and role clarity in certain positions.

"Well, I think in this day and age, whether it be 50-over cricket or 20-over cricket, you need to have an open mind. You need to be flexible, and we talk a lot about match-ups. At times, we talk too much about match-ups in the media, so I think that's where I think Rohit Sharma is coming from," Moody said when speaking exclusively to ESPNCricinfo.

"You know, there may be a case where you might have a left-hander that's due to come out at number 6, then suddenly the opposition brings out a left-arm spinner or a leg spinner. So, therefore, that number 6 is going to be the next person to come into bat.

"Now, the thing that is really important from a team's point of view, you have that flexibility and open mind, and I think that's what he was trying to articulate to the media there."

Moody also added sometimes thing may not be moving due to the start of the innings and believes Pandya as an impact player can be promoted up the order if needed to add acceleration.

"Yes, there will be flexibility, but there are a couple of places that may not be moving because really the foundation of your innings needs to be concrete, you need stability there and role clarity there," Moody added.

"But, you know, Hardik Pandya is an impact player. There may be a time you need to throw him up the order just to get the innings moving quicker than what it has been moving. So, all those tactical nuances, you need to have an open mind too."

India will begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 2 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele followed by a game against Nepal a few days later before the super four stage.