4 batsmen who could take up the No.4 slot in the ODI series against England

Yo-Yo tests are over, results are out, and replacements have been made as the Indian cricket team readies for the much-hyped tour of England. India will be kick-starting their campaign in England from 3rd of July with a T20I match at Old Trafford in Manchester.

With the ODI series against England not too far, the Indian team management would be pointing out the gray areas which could haunt the Indian team at India's tour of England.

For the time being, the most talked-about concern for the Indian team in ODIs remains the incalculable No.4 spot. The number four slot has been India’s Achilles heel in the batting line-up. Ever since India's semifinal exit against Australia in 2015 World Cup, this problem has been plaguing the Indian team as never before.

Thus, this article will look at four Indian batsmen who can fulfill the No.4 spot in the ODI series against England.

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#1 KL Rahul

KL Rahul has been in red-hot form

KL Rahul had to fight hard for his place in the playing XI. With Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan managing the opening slot beautifully, the only slot vacant for Rahul is the middle-order. With a range of shots in his armory and that extra bit of timing, Rahul boasts to be a perfect addition to the middle-order spot in ODIs.

Having scored 659 runs at an average of 54.91 and a strike-rate of 158.41, Rahul had an illustrious IPL this year as an opener. Although his form speaks louder that he is perfectly fit to open the innings, there remains little doubt that he will have to persist with the middle-order slot unless one of Dhawan or Rohit gets injured.

Thus, with Rohit and Dhawan enjoying the opening slot, Rahul will most probably be pushed in the middle-order, especially the No.4 spot which remains a matter of concern for the Indian team in limited overs format.

Hence, with consistency levels on his side, Rahul proves to be a sound option for the No.4 spot in ODI series against England who could provide India with a solid foundation in the middle-overs.

#2 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina will be eager to perform in ODIs

Suresh Raina, the limited overs specialist, made a comeback to the ODI team almost after three years. Raina made it to the team as a replacement to his CSK teammate Ambati Rayadu who missed the bus following the Yo-Yo test failure.

Raina's ODI credentials did come to questioning when he had to go through a lean patch. But, cometh the 2018 T20I series against South Africa, Raina shut his critics down as his batting claimed him to be ready for the ODI format once again.

Raina was the backbone of India's ODI series win against England in England as he scored 160 runs at an average of 53.33 which include a solitary hundred as well.

Thus, with the No.4 spot lying up for the grab, the Indian management might fill the place with Raina as the potential option for the ODI series against England.

#3 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh has revived himself to be a dependable player in India's batting line-up

Like Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik has been in the Indian circuit for quite a few years now. However, he has failed to corner his place in the Indian cricket team. But, since last year, Karthik has been a part of Indian team's ODI plans.

Karthik's recent performances speak volumes of his recent form in the limited overs format. Hence, cometh the ODI series against England, Dinesh Karthik might get the green signal to field the No.4 spot in the playing XI.

#4 MS Dhoni

MS has been playing the role of an anchor in the middle-order

MS Dhoni has been the go-to-go man for the Indian team. Ever since MS Dhoni resigned from captaincy, the only thing that clicked everyone's mind was: Will MS come up the order and play No.4? Well, this question still remains clandestine.

However, with Hardik Pandya claiming the responsibility of finishing the innings, MS Dhoni should move up the order and play at the No.4 spot which has been an area to look into for the Indian team. Thus, considering 2019 World Cup, MS Dhoni may take up the No.4 spot for the upcoming ODI series against England.