Asia Cup 2023: Sourav Ganguly names 3 star batters from 17-member squad who can bat at No. 4 for India

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Sourav Ganguly has expressed his view on the conundrum India are facing around their number four batter for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023 and World Cup 2023. He has said that there was an unnecessary hype around the spot, adding that India were spoilt for choices and did not lack a player who can bat at four.

The former captain cited his as well as Sachin Tendulkar's example, saying that they did not start their careers as openers. He also named three right-hand batters who can do the job perfectly for India.

The 51-year-old has opined that Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul can easily come to bat at number four for India. He suggested that captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid should just identify a player and designate him the spot through the Asia Cup and World Cup.

"Number 4 is just a number. Anybody can fit in. So, I really don’t think I believed, even when I was playing, that anybody is born as an opener or at number 3 or 4. You know, I started in the middle order in one-day cricket and then went on to open because I was asked to do so by Sachin at that time as captain," Sourav Ganguly said while speaking exclusively to Star Sports,

"I think it’s the same thing with Sachin. He batted at number 6 till his captain asked him to open, and he became a world-class player. So, anybody can play at number 4, you know? There is Virat Kohli who can bat at number 4, there is Shreyas Iyer, once he does well in the Asia Cup. There’s KL Rahul. India has enormous talent. I keep hearing that we don’t have this, we don’t have that, we have too much, that’s the problem, that you can’t decide. See, when you have too many homes to stay, you can’t decide which one is more comfortable for you.

"If you have one, you know that’s the place I can stay. So, I think number 4 is what Rahul and the selectors and Rohit need to do; decide that this is my number 4 and I will continue with him till the World Cup. One batting slot does not make much of a difference," he added.

Further, Sourav Ganguly said that India could not ask for a better fast bowling attack than Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. He called the overall Indian side "fantastic".

"It’s a very strong team. Bumrah is back, which makes the team even stronger. The bowling attack is very good – Shami, Bumrah, Siraj. You can’t get a better fast bowling attack. And the spin, Jadeja, the wrist spinner. Top batters. India is a fantastic side, who just have to turn up and play good, determined cricket during the Asia Cup and the World Cup," Ganguly said.

India announced their squad for Asia Cup 2023 on Monday. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer have been named in the squad, while Sanju Samson will also be travelling with the squad as a reserve player. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have been named in the main 17-member squad.