ICC World Cup 2019: 3 Players who should bat at No. 4 instead of Ambati Rayudu

The World Cup is just around the corner and understandably all the buzz is surrounding the showpiece event slated to take place in England and Wales. India have had a great run in ODI cricket as they’ve won almost every series (barring the one in England) in the last three years.

However, if one has to single out one chink in India’s armour, it has to be the No. 4 slot. It has been a long-standing problem for the ‘Men in Blue’. As many as 11 players have been tried at that slot but none of them have cemented their spot. Ambati Rayudu has been the designated No. 4 for a while now. However, after the series against Windies at home, he has blown hot and cold.

In 2019, he has an average of 35.00 (245 runs in 9 innings) and a strike-rate of 76.56. The only innings he shined was against New Zealand in the fifth ODI when he scored 90 after India were reduced to 18/4. However, the 33-year-old Hyderabad batsman has the tendency to play a few dot balls and has invariably found himself back in the dressing room when he tries to release the pressure.

Thus, with just three games to go, it seems like the No. 4 conundrum is far from solved for India. Hence, we look at three players who can and should bat at No. 4 in the upcoming World Cup.

Here are three players who should bat at No. 4 for India.

Vijay Shankar

Hardik Pandya’s misfortunes have meant that Vijay Shankar has shot into the limelight. The Tamil Nadu all-rounder made his debut in the third ODI against Australia in Melbourne earlier this year. He played a few more ODIs in New Zealand as he tried to impress the selectors. While he didn’t get a chance with the bat in his first few ODIs, he bowled economically. But when he got his opportunity with the bat, he ensured he impressed everyone.

He walked out to bat for the first time in ODI cricket when India were reeling at 18/4 (fifth ODI in New Zealand). Shankar scored a composed 45 and put India back on track in that game. His second ODI innings came in the second match in Nagpur and once again, he was impressive. He struck a fluent 41-ball 46 as he helped India recover from 75/3 and stitched a quality partnership with skipper Virat Kohli.

Both times Shankar has batted, he’s been run out. Hence, he hasn’t got the opportunity to kick on and get a big score. But he has shown that he has the temperament to bat higher up the order and soak in that pressure when needed. He can also strike the ball well and can change gears according to the game situation. The 28-year-old fast bowling all-rounder can also chip in with some useful overs. Thus, Shankar seems a very good option at No. 4.

MS Dhoni

In recent times, there’s been a lot of debate surrounding MS Dhoni’s batting position. The former India skipper has floated up and down the order according to the team’s requirement. Dhoni has been in fabulous form this year as he has amassed 301 runs at an average of 100.33. All his four fifties have come against Australia and all of them have been in run-chases.

He was the Man of the Series in Australia as he racked up three half-centuries on the trot and led India to a famous series win. He has often been India’s crisis man and after a slump in 2018, he’s back to winning matches for the national team this year. Every time India have been in trouble, MS Dhoni has bailed them out.

He’s got the time to get his eye in and gets better once he has a few deliveries under his belt. Hence, Dhoni might be best suited to bat at No. 4. It will give him that time he needs and build the innings. It will also give him the opportunity to bat with Virat Kohli and the two of them share a great partnership.

Virat Kohli

It might be surprising to see the world’s best No. 3 player in a list of players who should bat at No. 4. However, head coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that the Indian skipper might bat at the two-down spot in the upcoming World Cup. He doesn’t want India to lose their best batsman early, especially in a knockout game.

Kohli has batted at No. 4 before as well and averages 58.13 at that position. If Kohli moves to No. 4, it might not look like the best decision but it’ll allow India to play someone like KL Rahul at No. 3. The Karnataka batsman seems to have got his touch back and could be India’s third opener at the World Cup.

The Indian skipper’s move to No. 4 might allow India to have their best batsman at the back end of the innings, a stage where India have struggled in the recent past. It might just give India a more dynamic and flexible look. Thus, Kohli could well be India’s No. 4 in some games at the World Cup.

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