Five Indian Batsmen Who Can Take The Number Four Position for England ODIs

Published - 23 Jun 2018, 01:46 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:52 PM

Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Photo Credit: AFP.

With India set to embark on the England tour, there are certain aspects on which the Indian team will like to work on. One of team India’s Achilles Heel in the recent past is the number four position in the ODI format. Indian team think tank has played a game of musical chairs for the imperative middle order position.

Thus, it is crucial to get the right combination ahead of the pivotal World Cup. Moreover, the ODI carnival will be played in the English conditions which make the upcoming England tour even more important. India is going to play three One-Dayers in England, thus the Men in Blue will like to fill its crevices with a solid batsman.

Thus, we take a look at the five batsmen who can be the answer to number four position woes.

Here are the Five Batsmen Who Can Take The Number Four Position for England ODIs

Shyreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer
Image Courtesy: Twitter

Shreyas Iyer has shown that he has the potential to be the future of Indian cricket. Moreover, Iyer is leading India A in England prior to the senior team tour. Thus, he has the chance to get acclimatized to the arduous English conditions.

Iyer is still young in his International career as he has played only six One Day Internationals. However, the right-hander will like to grab his chances on the England tour. Thus, the Delhi Daredevils skipper will like to leave a mark with his performances.


Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik. Credits: AP

Dinesh Karthik will like to make the most of his good form to cement his middle order place. The wicketkeeper-batsman had recently led Kolkata Knight Riders and provided the finishing touches to his franchise.

Therefore, the right-hander will like to leave his impression in the three ODIs against England. Karthik has all the experience under his belt and thus he would like to make full use of his vast experience. The right-hander will like to prove his mettle in the hard England conditions.

KL Rahul

The stylish KL Rahul was shown the exit doors after he had failed to deliver the goods at the number four position. However, the Karnataka right-hander is batting at the top of his game and thus he would like to grab his chances in England.

Rahul had shown great form in the recently concluded IPL and he would like to repeat his heroics in the English conditions. However, it is well known that it is going to be a different game altogether.

The flamboyant right-hander has shown the right technique and he would like make the most his limited over opportunities. Thus, Rahul can be the answer to India’s number four batting position.

Suresh Raina

Team India,
Suresh Raina. Photo Credit: Web.

Raina had scored a century on the previous England tour.

Suresh Raina was able to get his ODI place after a long time. Thus, he would like to make his impression in the 50-overs format. Raina can be the answer to Indian team middle order vulnerabilities as he has the experience to come up good.

Moreover, Raina had scored a fine century in the previous tour of England. Thus, he has the confidence to perform in the English conditions. Raina had scored 160 runs at an average of 53.33 in the previous tour of 2014.

Thus, the southpaw batsman will like to repeat his prolific form on the England tour. However, Raina has a point to prove in the limited overs format after spending a long time on the sidelines.

MS Dhoni

Dhoni
MS Dhoni. Credits: AFP

MS Dhoni was able to return to form in the IPL. Dhoni is a different batsman if he hits the ground running. Thus, the former Indian skipper will like to bat through the innings to give solidarity to the middle order.

Dhoni has batted in the lower order for most of his career and it would be a perfect time to give him more freedom in the middle order. The wicketkeeper-batsman likes to take his time in the initial stages of his innings and thus he should be given his chances at the much talk about number four position.

However, if MS Dhoni plays in the middle order, other batsmen like Hardik Pandya will have to take the finishing role with aplomb.

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