'One Position Can't Win Us...' - India skipper Rohit Sharma speaks about flexibility in squad ahead of Asia Cup 2023

India skipper Rohit Sharma attended a press conference in New Delhi on Monday to announce the squad for the Asia Cup 2023. After announcing the 17-member team, various questions about the flexibility of the team and the number 4 position were asked by the media. Speaking about it, Rohit explained the need for a flexible player in the squad and how the team has communicated about it.

Rohit also emphasised that the team is not focusing on a particular position, as a position doesn't win a match. According to India's skipper, everyone knows that they can be used anywhere as per the situation. He said, "It is not about just one position; all positions are important. We have had injuries along those lines, and that is the reason we needed to manage that load. We need to figure out what combination suits us. I want to give all players a chance."

He further said, "One thing I need in this team is everyone ready to bat anywhere. Cricket is moving in a different direction. You can step up at any position; no one should say, 'I am good at this position and that position'. That is the message that has been conveyed to every individual—not now, but that's been happening for the last two, three, or four years."

"We don't do that kind of madness": Rohit Sharma

Further explaining the role of a flexible player Rohit said that we have our conversations with players, and we do it often. He also said that we don't do madness by sending the opener at number 8 or vice versa, but yes, numbers 4 and 5 should be flexible. "We have got guys who can bat at No. 4. It's not about No. 4. It's about the top three and there onwards, 4, 5, 6, 7, and there onwards, and who can win our game. There have been challenges, and guys have been put under pressure, and that's a good thing", says Rohit.

"When I said flexibility was necessary, I never said Hardik (Pandya) would open the inning." Not that. It's not the top three but those batting at No. 4 or 5 who need to be flexible to bat up or down. No. 5 is Rahul, and No. 6 is Hardik, but if there's some change, flexibility is required, as we as youngsters did it. There is a method. We don't do that kind of madness. This is not a school rule that numbers 1 to 8 are fixed. It's not about creating mayhem," the India skipper further explained.

India's squad for the Asia Cup 2023:

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Shami, Md. Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.