Twitterati declare Ajinkya Rahane as the perfect solution to India's No. 4 trouble

The Indian team has always boasted of a good batting depth in limited-overs cricket. However, a persistent concern still remains for a suitable player to fill in the void at the No.4 slot. Going into the ODI series against South Africa, India faced a tricky selection dilemma regarding in the batting order.

While skipper Virat Kohli had earlier stated Ajinkya Rahane was looked upon as India’s third opener, he had a change of heart before the first ODI in Durban. The right-hander was included in the playing XI and allotted the 4th slot as Kohli wishes to find a stable player to hold the role leading to the 2019 World Cup.

Rahane’s brilliant 79 in the opening ODI at Kingsmead has only consolidated his claim for the position. The 29-year-old’s innings helped India easily chase down the target of 270 runs set by South Africa. After the win, fans came out in force on Twitter and made a special plea to the Indian captain as they feel the Rahane should permanently become India’s No.4 batsman.

Rahane will need to deliver

A linchpin in the batting lineup, Rahane has been the designated third-choice opener for a while now, filling in either for Rohit Sharma or Shikhar Dhawan. Of the 84 ODIs he has played, he batted as an opener 54 times while walked out at No.4 on 20 occasions.

Although he has received flak in the past for his sluggish innings at the top, a demotion down the order could actually do wonders to his ODI career, and help the Indian team find an anchor they are so desperately wanting. Rahane has ample experience of handling tricky situations and seems the ideal fit to take the responsibility, especially because the other candidates for the same, over the last year and a half, have been largely dismal.

You can see the reactions below

Thank you captain for @ajinkyarahane88 giving him an opportunity.?. thank you virat?Its Just made my day when i see this man batting with so much ease..i hope no.4 is your place now.please just let him play #ajinkyarahane.?

— Dhoni ♥ (@ImJaGyA) February 1, 2018

2019 World Cup is in England and Ajinkya Rahane chose the South Africa series to make his claim and mark No.4 as his territory. This innings of his makes things even more interesting.

— …. (@ynakg1) February 1, 2018

India's Best No 4 #AjinkyaRahane
Spot Sealed.
No More Experiment.
But the case is What ever is the position he will deliver you results.#IndvsSA #Rahane

— Senthil MEEK (@Senthil248) February 1, 2018

Overjoyed to see Ajinkya Rahane play. Have always rated him and this is amongst his best one-day innings. Ran beautifully with Kohli and played the lofted hit remarkably. Did his job.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 1, 2018

Am sure Virat can now raise his hand and admit he made the mistake of benching Ajinkya Rahane. #IndvSA

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 1, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane scored 4 Consecutive fifties vs Australia then dropped from ODI series against NZ and SL. Now back in the team and scored half century…

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) February 1, 2018

India got their No4 Batsmen for 2019 WC ?#AjinkyaRahane

— Bittuu ! (@iTharunG) February 1, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane as always has been the silent performer for the team. He comes ,he performs ,he wins you matches and still there isn't a guaranteed spot for him. Beautiful cricket today by @ajinkyarahane88 #INDvSA #Rahane

— JINESH BAKHAI (@JINESHBAKHAI) February 1, 2018

Fifty for Ajinkya Rahane. Have a feeling he is going to be a lot better at no.4 this second time… know now what is expected of him. #SAvInd

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) February 1, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane is playing an absolute pearler here.. Great mindset to have having been left out of the odis post the Australia series inspite of runs.. Fabulous.. #SAvsIND

— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) February 1, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane!!!!! You champion! I always fall short of words when I see you score, because you are a gem indeed! Jinx, we love youuuuu and we want more of such dhamakaas on the field! Keep going ❤❤?@ajinkyarahane88

— • Saloni • (@salkulfree) February 2, 2018

2019 World Cup is in England and Ajinkya Rahane chose the South Africa series to make his claim and mark No.4 as his territory. This innings of his makes things even more interesting.

— …. (@ynakg1) February 1, 2018

Two of my favourite Ajinkya Rahane's ODI innings have come against South Africa and both of them have been when he was batting in the middle order. This could well be the third one. #SAvIND

— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) February 1, 2018

Ajinkya Rahane was always a dependable batsman. Just that the selection committee chose to deprive him of 1.5 years of his international career in limited overs cricket. #INDvSA

— Vignesh Mahadevan (@Vignesh1405) February 2, 2018