CWC 2019: Four players who might bat at number 4 for India 

The Indian top order has been very consistent since the last World Cup. They have been scoring the bulk of team's runs. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli have scored runs in heaps. This overshadowed the failures of the middle order on most occasions in the past few years.

Whenever the top three have failed, the middle order crumbled under pressure and surrendered meekly to the opposition with the exception of crisis man MS Dhoni.

In recent times, middle-order batsmen have failed to resurrect the team's position in case of a collapse or failed to consolidate the team's position after a steady start. Various players ranging from veterans like Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik to youngsters like KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya have been tried at No. 4 but no one cemented their place with consistent performances.

Here are 4 players who will potentially bat at the crucial number 4 spot in the upcoming World Cup.

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#4 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni himself has revealed in the past that he wants to play up the order. But that was not possible due to various reasons under the regime of Virat Kohli. Current vice-captain, Rohit Sharma also on many occasions in the past said that Dhoni should bat up the order. Rohit felt it would give Dhoni enough time to settle down and anchor the innings as he is not the same big hitter he once was.

Despite everything, Kohli has been adamant about his decision to play Dhoni at number 5 position in the last few years.

During the upcoming World Cup, either KL Rahul or Vijay Shankar is expected to play at number 4 position. Team management might give a few opportunities to these youngsters. But if these two fail at the spot then management might assign the crucial batting position to the experienced campaigner, Dhoni.

Dhoni averages nearly 56 at the position with a strike rate of 95. He would be an option for team India as he is a proven performer at that position.

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#3 Dinesh Karthik

DK in action during India v West Indies: Group B clash - ICC Champions Trophy 2017

Dinesh Karthik has been the comeback man in the Indian cricket. He made his debut in 2004 even before MS Dhoni but never cemented his place in the side. He was highly inconsistent during his initial years but after 2016 he has been a revelation in the Indian cricket circles as he improved his fitness and temperament required to play at the highest level.

Karthik's innings, 29* runs off 8 balls in the final of 2018 Nidahas trophy is one for the history books. It was a career-defining knock for Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper. This knock and his magnificent run in IPL 11 for KKR have reinvigorated faith in his batting skills.

Considering his experience team management might look at him as a potential option for the number 4 position, in case the need arises.

#2 Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar has not played any substantial match-winning innings in his short ODI career so far. Shankar earned World Cup spot due to the promise he showed while playing in New Zealand earlier this year.

He countered swing effectively and played aggressively against quality bowling line-up. Also, his ability to bowl a few overs of medium pace gave him an edge over other players in contention for that spot. KL Rahul will be the first choice for the number 4 position as he scored a magnificent hundred at that position recently.

If Rahul does not perform well in the initial matches, then Shankar might get an opportunity at the number 4 position.

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#1 KL Rahul

KL Rahul

KL Rahul played a few games at number 4 position over the last two years but did not score enough runs to cement the spot. But to be fair to him he did not get a consistent run at a certain position to establish himself in ODIs until now.

He had a great time with the bat during the last two editions of IPL. This provided a new lease of life to his fading ODI career. He seemingly booked his spot in the playing XI for India's first match by scoring a sublime hundred in India's second practice match. He will look to cement his place in the Indian ODI team as he is in good form.