India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reckons Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli are not only their engine room but also their biggest match-winners. The top three are going to hold the key for India in the upcoming Asia Cup as well as the World Cup.
Gill has been in sensational form in 2023 whereas Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have got all the experience under their belt. Gill has played 12 ODI matches in 2023 and has scored 750 runs at an impressive average of 68.18 and a strike rate of 109.01.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli has amassed 12898 runs in 275 ODI matches at an average of 57.32 and he is regarded as one of the best ODI batters of all time.
Kohli batted at number three and scored 443 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 55.38 in the 2019 World Cup. Furthermore, Rohit Sharma top-scored in the tournament with 648 runs in nine matches at an average of 81.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “Many ex-players including Ravi Bhai (Shastri) have said that Virat Kohli, if needed, should be made ready for No.4. But Rohit has rubbished these talks and has locked in Kohli at No.3. Gill, Rohit, and Kohli are not only our engine room but also biggest match-winners in this format.”
Ashwin added in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan could be a good backup option.
“When it comes to openers, Gill and Rohit are locked. In case one of them isn’t available, you have the backup opener/wicketkeeper in Ishan Kishan. He has fielded well too and has scored a double hundred as well. So the opener/wicketkeeper backup gives the team that combination and balance.”
India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sanju Samson (traveling reserve).
