3 uncapped players who can overcome India's middle order muddle in ODIs

The Indian team is struggling to find a solid middle-order batsman in ODI cricket for the last few years. For this reason, the team had to face quite a few problems in the Champions Trophy, 2017. In the recently concluded Asia Cup final, the team achieved the target of 223 runs on the last ball.

India is heavily depended on its top-order batsman which has masked the weakness of its middle order. Now there is not much time left for the World Cup and India would desperately want someone who can grab the spot and score consistently. There is much talk of Rishabh Pant getting a chance in the middle order, but in domestic ODI cricket, he has scored runs at a disappointing average of just 28.

However, he has been selected for the ODIs against the Windies following a phenomenal Test outing. Though the team management has tried several players to solve the middle-order conundrum, no one is able to consolidate the spot.

---

#3 Deepak Hooda

Baroda captain Deepak Hooda has impressed everyone with his performance in domestic matches. This middle-order batsman has scored a lot of runs in first-class, List A and T-20 cricket. In the 48 List A matches that he has played so far, Deepak has scored 1677 runs at a staggering average of 43.00 and a strike rate of 95.55. His amazing ability to clear the fence fetched him 4.2 crores in the 2016 IPL auction.

Along with batting, the Deepak Hooda is also an economical bowler. He has 31 wickets to his name in 48 matches. He was also called into the Indian team for the T20I series against Sri Lanka but did not get the chance to play.

#2 Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill

When it comes to the Under-19 World Cup 2018, everyone remembers Prithvi Shaw. But Shubman Gill easily looked the best batsman comfortably overhauling Shaw who had the media houses buzzing. Gill scored 372 runs with four half-centuries including a hundred against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the semi-final. He averaged 124 in the tournament and had an amazing strike-rate of 112.38.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he is opening for his side but basically, he is a middle-order batsman. In 16 matches of Under-19 career, he scored 1149 runs at a stellar average of 104.45. It included 4 centuries and 6 half-centuries.

He also spoke with his willow in the domestic one-day matches. In the 31 List A matches played so far, he has scored 1299 runs at an average of 46.39. It includes three centuries and seven half-centuries. After the Test debut of Prithvi Shaw, everyone hopes that this young batsman will also get a chance in the Indian team soon.

#1 Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya

Hardik Pandya's elder brother, Kunal Pandya, has long been demanding to be included in the Indian team. The hard-hitting batsman added to his left arm spin is a sought-after name in the domestic circuit. Pandya has consistently proven himself with both bat and ball.

He was also inducted in the T20I squad on the tour of England as a replacement for an injured Washington Sundar but unfortunately did not get the chance to play. For Mumbai Indians in the IPL, he has made runs in difficult situations and closed out games on his own.

Talking about his domestic ODI matches, Kunal has scored 1232 runs in 42 matches at an average of 35 and is also a handy bowler with 46 wickets to his name. He is a player who can bat anywhere in the middle and can bowl 10 overs in the match. With India in search of a middle order batsman, a good domestic season could put him up in the reckoning.