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‘Not Worried About Number 4 Spot,’ Says Indian Coach Ravi Shastri

The 2019 ICC ODI World Cup will be played in the United Kingdom from 30 May to 14 July.

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World Cup
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India are a flexible side with enough ammunition in their arsenal going into the World Cup, says head coach Ravi Shastri, making it clear that combinations would depend on conditions.

When Vijay Shankar was picked in the 15-man squad, it was largely perceived that the Tamil Nadu all-rounder could bat at the crucial number four position but Shastri said there is not one player who is certain to play in that position.

‘We are a flexible team. It’s horses for courses, we have got enough ammunition. We have got enough players who can bat at 4. So, I am not really worried about that. I think we have got all bases covered. Last thing you want is passengers on the tour. You want to have in those 15 players who can play anytime, at any given time.’
Ravi Shastri,  Head Coach, Indian Cricket team (to CricketNext)
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The 2019 ICC ODI World Cup will be played in the United Kingdom from 30 May to 14 July.

All-rounder Kedar Jadhav suffered an injury during then IPL, where key wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's lack of form also came under the scanner but Shastri said, "it doesn't worry me at all."

"In-fact I am totally blanked out from that. When the flight takes off on the 22nd, (May) we will see who are the 15 on that and just take it from there. Luckily in Kedar's case, there is no fracture so we will wait and watch. There is still time so it should be ok," he said.

Shastri said a team can't pre-plan for a big event like the World Cup and the four years leading up to the tournament is the time to prepare.

"In these big tournaments.... You go with the flow, you react spontaneously to different situations and the four years that have gone in between the World Cup, that's what prepares teams," he said.

The 2019 ICC ODI World Cup will be played in the United Kingdom from 30 May to 14 July.
The Indian team depart for England on 22 May.
(Photo: AP)
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The former captain handpicked West Indies and Australia to watch out for in the showpiece event.

“When they (West Indies) were in India I said we might have beatenthem but we had a tough series and they played some excellent cricket. And Isaid that at the given time, there was no (Chris) Gayle, there was no (Andre)Russell in that side”. 
Ravi Shastri,  Head Coach, Indian Cricket team

"I said watch out for this side, they have serious talent and I was very happy about that. Because you have played in the glory days of West Indies against some of the best players to have played the game and then the country has gone through some real debacles” Shastri added.

"The power hitting there is something that no team comes close. When it comes to the sheer ability to hit sixes, they are way up the ladder there."

Talking about Australia, the Indian head coach said that competetion is something that onne should expect from Australia and this year will be no different.

“You would expect that from Australia. They have won more World Cups than any other team in the last 25 years. There is never an Australian team which is not competitive.”
Ravi Shastri,  Head Coach, Indian Cricket team

"And now they have got all their players back and they seem to be in pretty good form but then again in the World Cup it is that given day," Shastri concluded.

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