New Delhi: All-rounder Vijay Shankar being picked as India's No. 4 batsman for the World Cup saw the birth of the biggest debate to engulf Indian cricket in recent times.  Former cricketers and pundits have had their say and many believe that Ambati Rayudu or Rishabh Pant would have been a better option. But then, the five wise men — national selectors — clearly thought otherwise when they felt that Shankar fits the bill.

Interestingly, criticism and Shankar have a history. Not many cricket fans in the country would have forgotten the all-rounder's struggle against Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy and the hate reaction that followed on social media after Shankar struggled with the bat during India's chase and ended with a 19-ball 17.