"There is no front runner for a position when you are trying to win the World Cup" - Gautam Gambhir on KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer
Gautam Gambhir reckons that while Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul's return from their respective injuries is a positive sign for Team India, the two batters will have to perform well in the upcoming games in the lead-up to the ICC ODI World Cup.
Gambhir reckoned that both Iyer and Rahul will have to make the most of their chances to be the top contenders for the middle-order spots in the Indian XI for the 50-over showpiece event. The 2011 World Cup winner believes that nobody is a sure starter, and the team needs to be picked on the basis of form.
Speaking to Star Sports, Gautam Gambhir remarked:
"One thing is clear; there is no front-runner for a position when you are trying to win the World Cup. Form and impact are important. The players who are in form need to be picked, rather than those who are not. Let it be Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, or anybody. If Tilak Varma is in better form than someone, if Suryakumar Yadav is in better form than Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul or Ishan Kishan, then you need to start that player."
"Because the World Cup comes once in four years, you don’t go and see who is a front-runner or not," he added. "Who is in the best form after the Asia Cup and the Australia series, just as Rohit Sharma had said, there is no guarantee for anybody’s position. It’s great to have Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul back from injury, but they will need to perform if they want to get in the starting lineup of the squad."
Notably, while Shreyas Iyer is completely fit for the Asia Cup 2023, KL Rahul could miss the initial games due to a niggle. Both players are coming back following injury layoffs and will have to prove themselves in the continental tournament, given that the 50-over World Cup is just around the corner.
"That series will determine who plays in the World Cup" - Gautam Gambhir on India's ODI series against Australia
Gautam Gambhir further stated that the national selectors made the right move by adding Suryakumar Yadav to the squad for the Asia Cup.
The cricketer-turned-commentator mentioned that while Suryakumar has been inconsistent in ODIs, he is an impactful player who can be very handy if used well.
Gambhir claimed that the squad that play the three-match ODI series against Australia after the Asia Cup will give a clearer picture of what India's lineup is going to be for the ICC event.
"I will only look at the form, not the name. Because if you want to win the World Cup, only form and impact from the players will help you win," Gautam Gambhir said. "A good thing the selectors have done is picked Suryakumar Yadav in the team. Because Suryakumar Yadav may not have the consistency, but he has the impact, and the team management should find the most efficient way to use him."
"So, in my opinion, whether it’s KL Rahul or Shreyas Iyer or anybody, we will look at their form after the Asia Cup and which team plays in the Australia series," he added. "That series will determine who plays in the World Cup rather than deciding after the series is over, that who will play in the World Cup. Because there should be a series before the World Cup where your main squad plays together."
India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening game of the Asia Cup 2023 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on September 2.