World Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri names four all-rounders he wants in India squad, suggests four pacers in eleven

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Ravi Shastri has suggested that India should have four all-rounders in their squad for the World Cup 2023 and Asia Cup 2023. The former head coach said that Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur should also be in the team with two main all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya.

Further, Ravi Shastri also suggested that Sanju Samson can be kept on standby and inducted in the team in case there is an injury.

“I think to be fair, I will go with both the all-rounders - Axar and Shardul, it gives me an opportunity. And keep Sanju Samson on standby in case something happens to the keeper there, where he can just fly out," he said while speaking to Star Sports on the 'Selection Day’ show.

Pacers are important, will have four of them in playing eleven: Shastri

The former all-rounder also asserted that pacers would be crucial to India's campaign at the two events and having four of them in the playing eleven would be an apt decision. He said that Hardik Pandya can tag with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, and one between Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur can be picked.

"So, now you start with the pacers because, for me, the pacers are important. If you need four over there, you already have one all-rounder (Pandya). So, if Bumrah is fit, he walks in. Shami walks in – that's two. You've got Siraj as a backup, and if needed, Shardul can be there. Shardul has done well in the West Indies one-day game; he can be a backup. And then you have room for one more," he said.

Former chief of selectors Sandeep Patil agreed with Shastri. He said, "I will go with what Ravi said because I want to remember 1983. The combination we had, we had many all-rounders in the team, and having all-rounders in the team gives you so much variety, and you can choose anybody."