India's loss in the semi-final to New Zealand saw the middle order getting exposed again.
World Cup 2019: India's loss in the semi-final to New Zealand saw the middle order getting exposed again.
With the never-ending debate over the No. 4 spot, former India player Yuvraj Singh isn't convinced with the way the team management treated the crucial batting spot.
Yuvraj - who had made the No. 4 position iconic - told Times of India, "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 the 2003 World Cup, we were playing New Zealand before the tournament, everybody was failing. But the same team played in the World Cup".
The cricketer, who was Man of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup, also expressed his concern over Ambati Rayudu not getting his due.
"It was disappointing to watch what they did with Rayudu. He was in the contention for the World Cup. He got runs in New Zealand but after three or four bad innings, he got dropped," Yuvraj said.
"And then Rishabh (Pant) came in and he got dropped. If No. 4 is a crucial position in ODI cricket, if you want someone to do well in that position, you will have to back him. You can't drop someone if he is unable to do well all the time.
"In between, the team had also tried Dinesh Karthik. Finally, we don't know what their plan was for No. 4. They backed Rishabh again, he actually did well. If Rohit and Virat 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 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."
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