Former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that the No. 4 position will be very important for India in the ICC World Cup 2019 and picked KL Rahul as best suited for the position.

“It’s a little different, I think. They stuck to Rayudu for a very long time and suddenly now he is not part of the World Cup scheme. And now they have Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul and Vijay Shankar - one of which will bat at No.4. It is going to be an important position because in England if you have overhead condition then suddenly you lose two or three early wickets then No.4 becomes very important along with No.3. They will the ones holding on to the lower middle order and try and have those partnerships. That is why No.4 is a very important spot,” Gambhir said in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.

“I feel Rahul is best suited for No.4 spot because he has got the technique, he has got the ability to win you games. I know that is not the position you would have preferred, but I have always believed one thing you only put yourself in the playing XI ultimately it is the team management who decide. You should be flexible enough to bat at any position for the team,” he added.

Earlier, Gambhir, while giving the keynote address at the CEAT Cricket Rating (CCR) International awards 2019, said that the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup lacks another genuine fast bowler.

“I feel Indian team lacks one more quality fast bowler. Bumrah, Shami and Bhuvi need more support. You may argue that India has two fast bowling all-rounders in Hardik and Vijay Shankar but I am not convinced. In the end it boils down to getting the team combination right and sticking to it,” the 2011 ICC World Cup winner said.

First Published: May 15, 2019 19:27 IST