ICC World Cup 2019: 3 Players likely to grab the number 4 spot

India is one of the favourites to win the 2019 Cricket World Cup. The Men in blue have lifted the trophy on two occasions. Indian team has done well in ODIs over the last few years as they a settled starting XI. While most of the positions in the team are settled that number four spot in the batting order is still up for grabs.

India has tried a number of quality batsmen to fill this spot but no one has managed to make the spot his own. This means that the spot is still up for grabs and IPL performances might seal the deal for one of the batsmen.

Number four is a crucial position in the batting order as the batsman at that position must know how to adapt his game. So let us look at some of the players who will be in consideration to grab the number four spot ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

#3 Vijay Shankar

Vijay Shankar

It might seem odd to some people that a batsman who is yet to score a half-century in International cricket is being considered for such a crucial position. The right-handed batsman ticks a lot of boxes to be a part of the playing XI.

The Tamil Nadu batsman has a very solid technique which is needed to survive in English conditions. In his short International career, he has shown that he has the ability to adapt his game according to the match. The 28-year-old can also come up with the big hits in the death overs to help India's cause.

While his lack of experience might go against him, he can be India's trump card in the middle overs in the World Cup. Vijay can also provide an extra bowling option to Virat Kohli as his bowling can be handy in the English conditions.

#2 Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant

MS Dhoni has been in brilliant form in 2019 and will surely make the starting XI in the World Cup. This means that there is no vacancy for Rishabh Pant as a wicket-keeper batsman. But Pant can still board a flight to England as a pure batsman.

While his form in ODIs has been wanting, his record in the Tests shows that he has the ability to prosper at the International level. He has the ability to move the game forward in the middle overs but the problem with him is that he tries too many shots too early.

He needs to work on his shot selection and adapt his game according to the situation. He has an opportunity to display this maturity in the IPL where he needs to close out matches for his franchise. If he can do this in IPL, he might be able to book his spot in the team.

#3 KL Rahul

KL Rahul

KL Rahul got off to a poor start to the season. The right-handed batsman was looking short on confidence after a horrible 2018 in Test cricket. The Karnataka batsman lost his place in the Indian team and his career seemed to have hit a low.

He worked on his game as he started to take a bit of time on the crease before going for his shots. Since making that small adjustment he has been brilliant in the tournament. Rahul is the second highest scorer in the tournament with 317 runs to his name.

The right-handed batsman has scored one century and three half-centuries in the process. These brilliant performances have brought Rahul back into the reckoning for the World Cup squad. India has a settled top three so there is no need for another top-order batsman. While Rahul has been groomed as a top-order batsman he can be a good option in the middle-order.