Conceding the fact that India lacked the presence of a strong middle order batsman, head coach Ravi Shastri pointed it out as one of the major reasons behind India’s ouster from the ICC World Cup 2019. Considered to be one of the favourites to be lift the cup, India were knocked out after losing to New Zealand by 18 runs in the first semi-final on Wednesday. India’s worst nightmares came true as the middle-order failed to cope with the pressure after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli got out inside the first three overs, failing to chase down 240 for victory.

”In hindsight, yes, we did need a solid batsman out there in the middle order. But now, that’s something for the future. That’s a position that was always giving us problems, but we just couldn’t nail it.Rahul was there but then Shikhar Dhawan got injured.

India tried three different batsmen at that crucial position during the course of the tournament. KL Rahul started the tournament but he had to shift to the opening position after Shikhar Dhawan got injured. Vijay Shankar was then slotted in to bat at No. 4. His modest returns and an injury later on prompted India to use Rishabh Pant, who was making his World Cup debut. But none of them grabbed the spot by playing a noteworthy innings.

Responding the query whether Mayank Agarwal, who was drafted into the side in place of an injured Vijay Shankar, could’ve been tried at the opening position, allowing Rahul come back No. 4, Shastri said they would have done the same if there was another game in hand.

“Not really, because it got too tight. By the time Mayank came to join us, there wasn’t much time. If there was one more game, that is, if this semi-final was a game later, we would have definitely done it. He flew in, and Rahul had just hit a 60, and then a hundred.

Shastri, however, was not disappointed by the performance of his side at all. The head coach, who got a 45-day extension till the West Indies tour, also revealed what he told the Indian cricketers immediately after the loss against New Zealand in the semi-finals.