Former BCCI selector Madan Lal trashes Rohit’s idea of flexibility in the batting order

Madan Lal said “If you keep shuffling your batting order then no one will gain confidence”

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal is not pleased with Rohit’s idea of having a flexible batting order as the ex-Indian selector feels that by doing so no one will gain confidence. Madan Lal’s remarks come after Rohit in his post-selection press conference in Delhi said that he expects the batting order to be flexible. In the words of Rohit, “One thing I want in this team is to make sure everyone is okay to bat anywhere.” That’s one thing we need to keep in mind. You need flexibility, guys who can step up at any position. No one should say, ‘I’m good at this position or I’m good at that position’. You want guys to be able to bat anywhere, that’s the message conveyed to every individual. Not now, but over the last three-four years.” 

Needless Experiments

India has been experimenting a lot of late with the batting order which was evident in the three-match ODI series against West Indies where we saw Axar Patel batting at number four in the first match while top order batters Rohit and Virat were pushed down in the batting order and the effect of the shuffle was visible as India lost five wickets while chasing a score of less than 150. The bowling department was also a part of the experiment that was being done in the series as Hardik took the new ball in the next two matches something which one does not expect with the 50-over World Cup just few months away.

What they said

Fans and experts alike were confused about the logic behind so many changes that too just before the World Cup with the team management giving flexibility as the reason for an unsettled batting lineup. Now, former Indian selector Madan Lal has questioned Rohit’s idea of flexibility in the batting order. “You said, you have asked everyone that you can be asked to bat anywhere. I don’t agree. Specialist batters should bat in their preferred positions. If India wants to win the Asia Cup and World Cup, they need good performances from No.4 to No.8. They are the ones who make the game while batting in the middle overs,” Lal told Sports Tak.