‘Shreyas Iyer is your automatic No. 4’ – Sanjay Bangar picks India’s middle-order for England ODIs

Sanjay Bangar picks India’s middle-order for England ODIs. (Photo Source – Twitter/X)

The white-ball series against England is poised to be integral for India’s preparation for the Champions Trophy. The three ODIs to follow the T20Is will be the final opportunity for India to finetune their squad and strategies for the marquee 50-over tournament.

Meanwhile, former Indian batting coach, Sanjay Bangar,  discussed the middle-order he would go ahead with. Bangar preferred Shreyas Iyer over Tilak Varma for occupying the No. 4 slot for the ODIs. He backed it up with valid reasoning. He also went ahead with KL Rahul to come beneath Iyer.

“For me, Tilak Varma may not find a place in this 50-over team. He is a certainty in the T20 format. Shreyas Iyer has not done anything wrong. He has had a phenomenal World Cup in the 50-over format. Whatever domestic cricket he has played, he has been on fire. So, he is your automatic No. 4 choice, and KL Rahul, because as a wicketkeeper-batter, the way he kept wickets and got important runs whenever needed. So, KL Rahul will be my No. 5,” Bangar told Star Sports.

Also Read: ‘India need him more in the longer format’ – Sanjay Bangar does not want Mohammed Shami to be risked for T20Is

Rishabh Pant will have to wait for his time: Sanjay Bangar

Discussing the ODI squad further, Bangar went with Sanju Samson over Rishabh Pant on the basis of the former’s current batting form in the format.

“I think, as a backup, you have to give that place to Sanju Samson because he averages above 50 in ODI cricket. Add to that, he is a man in form as well. So, if at all there has to be a backup wicketkeeper-batter, it has to be Sanju Samson. Yes, Rishabh Pant has started playing the T20 and the Test formats, but this is a format where he will have to wait for his time,” he observed.

Speaking of Iyer’s recent batting performances, he has been on a hot streak of runs in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The standout performances so far have been his unbeaten centuries against Karnataka and Puducherry. He has led Mumbai from the front and let the bat talk for him so far. As for his ODI numbers, he has 2421 runs at an impressive average of 47.47.

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