Is missing left-hander a chink in India's batting?

Based on evidence of India's thrilling 2023 World Cup campaign, they have a specialist for every batting position.

- Rasesh Mandani

NAGPUR: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill tango at the top of the order like few others in ODI cricket.

In a short span (25 matches, 1,732 runs at an average of 72.16), they have made it to India's top five most prolific opening batting pairs. Virat Kohli at No.3 is an all-time great. Shreyas Iyer averages over 50 at No.4 and was one of the three Indians with over 500 runs in the last World Cup. KL Rahul ably anchors the middle order. Hardik Pandya is the most proven power hitter in the squad and he usually walks in at No.6.

India may go with the time-tested batting lineup. But it may not be a foolproof strategy. A lot of water has flown under the bridge since the World Cup and from a tactical viewpoint, the missing left-hander in the top 6 could be a chink that opposition teams will be looking to exploit.