IND v WI | Will be very surprised if Shreyas Iyer doesn’t make No.4 position his own, says Ravi Shastri

When he struck back-to-back half-centuries in the ODI leg of the West Indies tour that followed right after the World Cup earlier this year, Shreyas made his case to be India’s permanent solution at No.4. Now, as the West Indies touring India for a three-match series, Ravi Shastri reckons it is time for the 25-year-old to make the position his own. 

“The way he is batting now if he doesn’t own that position, I will be very very surprised. He is 24-25 years but he has played so much first-class cricket. I think he has realised what he can do at No. 4. That’s the most important thing,” he told India Today.

Having gone into the West Indies tour hoping for a chance anywhere in the batting order, the objective for Shreyas is to keep churning out runs every time he bats. And according to him, the team management’s backing is what has added to the Mumbaikar’s confidence. In the past, the management has trusted Ambati Rayudu and KL Rahul at No.4, and it would be only fair if they give Shreyas more time at the position. 

“It has been a really important last few series for me, to set the benchmark at the No. 4 position, which all of us are competing at the moment. I think, for me personally, they (team management) have given me a heads-up that, you know, ‘you’ll be there at No. 4, so just back yourself and really believe in yourself; we need someone who, even if Kohli or Rohit , when they get out, we need someone to finish the game and bat till the end’,” Shreyas said.