The World Cup isn't even twelve months away, and Team India is still struggling to find a solution to the No. 4 conundrum. In the last two to three years, India has tried out quite a many batsmen at the No. 4 position, but not a single one has proved to be the perfect contender for that spot.
Let us take a look at all the possible candidates, and who is capable of filling in the bill the best!
1. Ajinkya Rahane: A calm and composed player who is more than capable of playing spin. And those are the qualities you are looking for in a middle order batsman. However, being dropped after the ordinary South Africa tour he had suggests that India are no longer interested in playing him in the middle order. Also, with the rise of KL Rahul, it appears to be extremely difficult for Rahane to even find a place in the Indian limited-overs side.
2. Yuvraj Singh: In his last 10 innings, the left-hander has scored 372 runs at an average of above 40 and a strike-rate near to 100. But because of his recent struggles against spin, his extremely feeble run of form, and also his fitness issues, it seems as if we might never see the all-time great all-rounder representing India again.
3. Manish Pandey: Not even on my list. A bad IPL followed by a demotion to India 'B' team. Pandey's inconsistency is another factor why I would not prefer him in the Indian team.
4. Kedar Jadhav: Definitely is one option, but I believe that if at all he shall be there in the Indian team, he shall bat at No. 6, and not at No. 4. His very little foot movement makes him a better finisher than a middle-order batsman. Also, he averages 58.78 when batting at No. 6 in ODI cricket.
5. MS Dhoni: His batting position is No. 5, where he would be the mainstay of the middle order and all others would revolve around him.
6. Suresh Raina: Another very capable and competent batsman, who could also supply his captain with a few overs in the middle. Nevertheless, just like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina's form is also uncertain. After 2015, Raina has only competed in 3 ODIs, in which he has managed to score only 47 odd runs.
Alright, if not these six batsmen, then whom?
Anyone of these two extremely talented batsmen who are brilliant players of spin, and also have the caliber of capitalizing on the balls consumed towards the end of the inning in Lokesh Rahul & Dinesh Karthik, appear to be as the best solution to this long-standing No. 4 conundrum.
With solely 25 ODI games left before the utmost tournament, if any one of the two batsmen are given a long run, I strongly am of the opinion that they will not only flourish, but go on to stamp their names in record books as well.
Cheers,
Sparsh
Let us take a look at all the possible candidates, and who is capable of filling in the bill the best!
1. Ajinkya Rahane: A calm and composed player who is more than capable of playing spin. And those are the qualities you are looking for in a middle order batsman. However, being dropped after the ordinary South Africa tour he had suggests that India are no longer interested in playing him in the middle order. Also, with the rise of KL Rahul, it appears to be extremely difficult for Rahane to even find a place in the Indian limited-overs side.
2. Yuvraj Singh: In his last 10 innings, the left-hander has scored 372 runs at an average of above 40 and a strike-rate near to 100. But because of his recent struggles against spin, his extremely feeble run of form, and also his fitness issues, it seems as if we might never see the all-time great all-rounder representing India again.
3. Manish Pandey: Not even on my list. A bad IPL followed by a demotion to India 'B' team. Pandey's inconsistency is another factor why I would not prefer him in the Indian team.
4. Kedar Jadhav: Definitely is one option, but I believe that if at all he shall be there in the Indian team, he shall bat at No. 6, and not at No. 4. His very little foot movement makes him a better finisher than a middle-order batsman. Also, he averages 58.78 when batting at No. 6 in ODI cricket.
5. MS Dhoni: His batting position is No. 5, where he would be the mainstay of the middle order and all others would revolve around him.
6. Suresh Raina: Another very capable and competent batsman, who could also supply his captain with a few overs in the middle. Nevertheless, just like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina's form is also uncertain. After 2015, Raina has only competed in 3 ODIs, in which he has managed to score only 47 odd runs.
Alright, if not these six batsmen, then whom?
Anyone of these two extremely talented batsmen who are brilliant players of spin, and also have the caliber of capitalizing on the balls consumed towards the end of the inning in Lokesh Rahul & Dinesh Karthik, appear to be as the best solution to this long-standing No. 4 conundrum.
With solely 25 ODI games left before the utmost tournament, if any one of the two batsmen are given a long run, I strongly am of the opinion that they will not only flourish, but go on to stamp their names in record books as well.
Cheers,
Sparsh
Great post. Rahul for sure shall be given an extended run in ODI cricket.
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M S Dhoni will be perfect choice for number 4 position. Play free online cricket games
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