Ajit Agarkar believes India must finalize its batting line-ups ahead of the ODI World Cup.

Former bowler Ajit Agarkar believes the Indian squad needs to straighten out its batting order ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and he believes the Rohit Sharma-led side will start as favourites in the next three-match ODI series against the West Indies.

Under a new captain, India will begin its preparations for the major event with an ODI series against the West Indies, beginning with the first game in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

“The positions need to be cemented, whoever or wherever they are going to bat, whether Rahul is going to come in the middle, he has to stay in the middle for me over the next year and a half until we approach that world cup,” Agarkar said on Star Sports.

“So, that clarity has to be there because there are certain gaps from 4, 5, and 6 that will require some firepower in those spots right now.”

It will be the first assignment for new white-ball captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the Test series against South Africa due to a left hamstring injury and was forced to miss the ODIs against the Proteas as well since he couldn’t get fully healthy.

“At home, India is extremely difficult to beat. I believe that with Rohit Sharma returning much fresher, India will start as favourites, especially in the ODI series “According to Agarkar.

The 13th World Cup will be held in India in October and November 2023.