5 IPL performers who can be the solution to India's No. 4 problem

IPL fever has gripped the nation. The fans are being thoroughly entertained by some stunning cricket. Along with the international players, Indian players have also performed exceedingly well.

IPL has always been an opportunity for Indian players to showcase their talent and put their name in the reckoning for a place in the national side. Even the Indian selectors will be keenly observing performances of some players, especially middle-order batsmen.

The Indian team has tried a number of players, including Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik, at the crucial No. 4 position in the batting order, but without much success.

Even though T20 performances in IPL might not be the criteria for selection in the ODI side, with the 2019 World Cup a little over a year away, the selectors might give a chance to players who have performed in IPL.

We will look at five such players who can fill the vacant No. 4 position in the batting line-up for Team India.

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#5 Nitish Rana

Rana has batted confidently against top-quality bowlers

Nitish Rana was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders at the auction at a hefty amount of 3.4 crores, 17 times his base price. And Rana hasn't disappointed the franchise.

The Delhi batsman has played some crucial knocks for KKR this season, scoring 188 runs in eight matches at an average of 31.33 and a strike-rate of 135.25.

The most striking feature of his batting has been his ability to score runs under pressure. He can provide solidity to India's middle order and can also provide the option of a left-handed batsman.

Rana can also roll his arm over to bowl some part-time spin bowling.

#4 Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has shown the ability to bat at any position in the batting order

Suryakumar Yadav has been one of the most consistent performers in IPL. Playing for KKR, Suryakumar Yadav finished a lot of games. He was an integral part of the squad since 2014. Owing to a poor 2017 season, Yadav wasn't retained by KKR.

Instead, he was bought by Mumbai Indians, his domestic side. And it has been a happy homecoming for Yadav.

He has scored 283 runs so far, the most he has scored in any season, at an average of 35.37.

Starting the season playing at No.4, he was promoted to open the inning later on. Primarily a middle-order batsman, Yadav can be a great asset to the national side because of his ability to play according to the situation.

#3 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant during his knock of 48-ball 85 against RCB

Rishabh Pant is regarded as one of the most promising talents in the country. He has played some astonishing innings in IPL and domestic cricket.

The dashing left-hand batsman has been given a few chances in the Indian T20 team, but he has failed to grab the opportunity.

However, this hasn't disappointed him as he has been piling on runs season after season. The 20-year-old has scored 375 runs in this year's IPL, at a spectacular strike-rate of 180.28 and an average of 41.66.

With such strong performances, the selectors will be tempted to select Pant in the ODI side. Pant has the ability to clear the fence with ease and his aggressive style of batting can suit Team India well.

#2 Sanju Samson

Samson has been the mainstay of Royals batting this year

Sanju Samson made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2013 as an 18-year-old. He impressed everyone with some eye-catching innings in his debut season itself. After a couple of fruitful seasons in IPL, Samson was selected in the Indian T20 team.

But he played a single T20 before being dropped. Samson continued performing well in IPL but because of his below-par performances in the domestic circuit, he was never again considered for the national side.

However, Samson was the top scorer for his stateside Kerala in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and has carried on with his good form in IPL as well.

So far in IPL 2018, the stylish batsman has made 282 runs at a healthy average of 40.28 and a strike rate of 145.36.

He can also be the backup wicket-keeper in the squad. Keeping in mind his track record of performing well against top quality bowlers, Samson should be included in the ODI side.

#1 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu has played some match-winning innings for CSK this year

At the start of IPL 2018, most of the cricket pundits had written off Ambati Rayudu. He had a poor IPL season last year, scoring just 91 runs at a low average of 18.20.

However, Rayudu has surprised everyone with his batting this year. He has scored 370 runs this season.

The former India U-19 captain has scored at a phenomenal average of 46.25 and a strike-rate of 156.11.

Rayudu has performed consistently in IPL since his debut in 2010. He was also a part of the Indian side between 2013 and 2015.

However, even with an ODI average of 50.23, he was dropped from the national side. His weakness of not batting well against good quality bowling-attacks was cited as a reason for his exclusion.

But with his renewed confidence and his current form, giving Rayudu another chance won't be a bad idea.

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