Former Indian cricket team captain and head coach Anil Kumble wants Shreyas Iyer to cement his spot at much-debatable number 4 slot in the Indian batting line-up in the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. The number 4 position in India’s batting line-up has been a matter of debate for quite a while now. Several big names like Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu and KL Rahul among others have been tried at the spot but to no avail. However, with his recent performances, Iyer seems to have done enough to get a nod ahead of anyone at number four and Kumble wants him to continue batting at the same position against West Indies.
“With Shikhar (Dhawan) not being there it again gives KL Rahul chance to open the batting. We have seen Shreyas Iyer’s quality and he has grown in stature, so I would like him to be at number four,” Kumble told Star Sports ahead of the first ODI in Chennai on Sunday.
Iyer came out to bat mostly at number five in the recently-concluded T20I series against West Indies and had nothing much to do with the bat as India’s top-order of Rahul, Rohit Sharma and captain Virat Kohli fired all cylinders. However, in ODIs, he will be expected to play a major role in the middle-order and the right-hander will be aiming to continue his fine form for the Men in Blue.
