3 Indian cricketers who should have been given more opportunities at No.4 slot

The World Cup is just around the corner, and just when it seemed that India is all ready to fire its bullets in the final campaign, some of its weakness got exposed which pulled India again in a state of distress.

Before the start of 2019, the form of MS Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar was a big concern but it was resolved very soon. The opening combination of Shikhar and Rohit also got into rhythm in the recently concluded 4th ODI at Mohali. But the one spot which was most talked still remains in a state of question. India still has not got a permanent solution of that No.4 slot.

In last 11 games, India had shown its utmost faith on Ambati Rayudu. He delivered on a few occasions but most of the times he failed and even failed miserably. He has a string of low scores during these 11 games and has left India in a doubt regarding that position. In last game against Australia Virat Kohli himself tried batting at No.4, but could not execute well.

If we take a look over the stats of post the 2015 World Cup then there have been few cricketers who had done the job at No.4 considerably well, but were overlooked. A few of them deserved more chances than they were given.

#3 Dinesh Karthik

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New Zealand v India - ODI Game 3

Dinesh Karthik was given a national call after some stupendous knocks in the domestic circuit. He made a comeback in the squad at the time of Champions Trophy 2017 and since then he was there with the team but as a second fiddle player. He was not invariably featured in the playing 11 but whenever he was, he played some fantastic knocks.

Be it the Nidahas Trophy final or the finisher role in Adelaide against Australia, he always impressed the selectors. He was even tried at No.4 few times and out of 9 matches that he played at No.4 position he scored 264 runs at an average 52.4 and strike rate of 71.35.

Thus it can be said that the Tamil Nadu batsman deserved a few more chances to prove his mettle.

#2 Ajinkya Rahane

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Ajinkya Rahane

Great aficionados of the game have always looked at Rahane with due respect. Each member of Team India or any expert is always tempted to have Rahane in their playing 11. With Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma dominating over the opening combination, the only position that was vacant for him was the No.4 slot.

He was given a few chances and he did well also. He played a great innings of 79 runs in Kingsmead against South Africa last year, and helped India to clinch the first ODI and the series thereafter.

Out of 10 games that he played at No.4 he scored 420 runs at an average of 46.66 and at a strike rate of 92.71. He also played at No.4 in the 2015 World Cup and did well in that campaign. Therefore Rahane should had been given more chances to fancy in the World Cup again.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

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India v Pakistan - ICC Champions Trophy

The southpaw made his international debut for India 19 years ago. He has innumerable achievements under his belt and has played too many match-winning innings to count. The 2 big competitions that India won was because they had their star performer Yuvraj Singh in their team.

He is rich in the records he is carrying and doesn't need any any explanation. To be fair, after the 2015 World Cup, Yuvraj played 9 games at No.4 position and amassed 358 runs at an average of 44.75 and a strike rate of 97.54.

Whether it was that 150 runs knock on a situation when India was collapsed at 25/3 or it is quick fiery 52 off 29 against Pakistan, Yuvraj Singh delivered at each any every stage when it was needed.

Had he been given more opportunities he could have turned the things and solved this long crises of India over the No.4 slot.