Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has questioned his team management’s plans of handling the No. 4 issue, especially at the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Questions were raised when India announced their 15-man team ahead of the tournament. And for all right reasons, they were left extremely vulnerable at the No. 4 position during the tournament.
Speaking about the issue, Yuvraj Singh – who occupied the No. 4 spot at several major tournaments – said that he failed to understand how the management underlined a blueprint to address the problem.
"The team management should have groomed someone. If someone was failing at No. 4, the team management should have told that player that he was going to play the World Cup. Like in 2003 World Cup, we were playing New Zealand before the tournament, everybody was failing. But the same team played in the World Cup," Yuvraj told TOI.
"In between, the team had also tried Dinesh Karthik. Finally, we don't know what their plan was for No. 4. They backed Rishabh (Pant) again, he actually did well. If Rohit (Sharma) and Virat (Kohli) would get out early, we could get into trouble and everyone knew about that. We needed a solid No. 4. I didn't understand the idea behind their plans," Yuvraj said.
Meanwhile, after being overlooked by the team several times, batsman Ambati Rayudu – who was thought to be India’s solution for the No. 4 woe – announced his international retirement from the sport. Speaking about the 33-year-old, Yuvraj added, "I also feel quite sad about Rayudu that he retired. It is unfortunate how they dealt with the whole situation. You are looking to go and play the World Cup and suddenly you don't find a place."
Having finished the league stage as table toppers, India were eventually knocked out in the semi-final by New Zealand.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Jewel Samad
