Most successful number five batsmen for India in ODIs

For a long time, these two shared this coveted position.
For a long time, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni alternated in this coveted position

The last recognized batting position in most batting lineups, the number 5 slot forms the barrier between the top order and the lower order. In Test matches, the batsmen coming to bat at this position have to form vital partnerships with the all rounders and the tailenders. In ODIs, however, they have the job of finishing the inning with some aggressive stroke-play. Sometimes, when the situation demands, they have to change their batting style to stabilize the innings as well.

Also Read: Most successful number 4 batsmen for India in ODIs

In the past, legends like Arjuna Ranatunga, Steve Waugh and Inzamam-ul-Haq have won many a number of matches for their respective teams from this position. MS Dhoni has been batting at this position for some time now, and, in the past as well, India has produced some world class batsmen from this number 5 slot. Here are six of their very best.


#6 Ajay Jadeja

Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja was India's finisher during the mid to late 1990s

A reliable and steady batsman, Ajay Jadeja was a permanent fixture of India's coloured outfit squad during the 1990s. For a large part of his career, Jadeja played as a floater in the team, someone who could bat at any position, be it opening the inning or just before the bowlers. Hence, his batting slot was never fixed. However, during majority of his ODI career, he came to bat either at number 5 or 6.

Batting at number 5 in 55 ODI innings, the former ODI skipper scored 1496 runs at an average of 35.62 and a respectable strike rate of 76. Two of his six ODI centureis came while batting from this position. In a batting lineup that had Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Azharuddin as the top four, Jadeja's contribution during the final overs won India many matches.

#5 Mohammad Azharuddin

The Master of the flicks.
Mohammad Azhadurrin was the master of the flick shot

Mohammad Azharuddin batted at so many positions throughout his ODI career and, unsurprisingly, scored heavily on all those positions. Be it number 3 or 4 or 5 or 6, Azharuddin was ready to bat at any position. Hence, it is no surprise that he features on this list as well. Batting at number 4 for better part of his career, Azhar often used to come down one position, depending on the situation the team was in.

In 83 out of his 308 ODI innings, Azharuddin came out to bat at the loss of third wicket. In those 83 innings, he pilled up 2108 runs at an average of almost 30. Although the average is quite less compared to other players, he batted brilliantly at this position when there was limited depth in the Indian batting lineup.

#4 Suresh Raina

The southpaw has had a lengthy ODI career so far.
Suresh Raina has had a lengthy ODI career so farRight from the moment he broke into the Indian team, Suresh Raina has often managed to leave a mark everytime he came out to bat. An aggressive middle order batsman, the left hander represented India in all the formats. In fact, he was the first Indian to score a hundred in each format of the game. However, he was at his best when he played in the shorter format of the game. Just like Ajay Jadeja, Raina batted at various position in the lineup but was most successful at number 5.

Coming to bat after the fall of 3rd wicket 81 times in ODIs, the southpaw has scored 2402 runs. His average of 35.32 may not be as impressive as his peers, but it is his strike rate of almost 95 while batting at 5 that makes him an important commodity for the team. Scoring 3 of his 5 ODI centuries from this slot, Raina has won plenty of matches for India in the past, and, if he manages to manages to make a comeback, will win plenty in the future as well.

#3 Rahul Dravid

Dravid was successful at number 5 as well.
Dravid was successful at number 5 as well

Rahul Dravid was initially never touted as the type of batsman who could succeed at number 5. A defensive batsman who used to steady the innings in the middle overs, Dravid was more suited for one down or two down slot, the positions he batted at for the majority of his career. However, as he always did, Dravid proved everyone wrong and scored heavily during his scattered tenure as India's number 5 batsman.

He came out to bat at number 5 in 69 innings, scoring 2459 runs at a stunning average of almost 44, five points above his career average. His strike rate, which was usually around the 68 mark, rose significantly to 74 while he batted at number 5. He has been given the nickname 'The Wall' and he often proved one for the opposition with his majestic batting.

#2 MS Dhoni

The Best Finisher in the history of game.
MS Dhoni is one of the best finishers in ODI history

Once regarded as the most powerful hitter of the ball, MS Dhoni's transformation from a lower middle order pinch hitter to the best finisher of all time can be regarded as the best thing that could have happened to the Indian cricket in the last 15 years. Over the last couple of years, the former Indian skipper has changed his batting style to play more of an anchor role in the team. Now India's permanent number 5 batsman, Dhoni continue to win matches for the team regularly, even at the age of 36.

Batting at three down 68 times in his career, Dhoni has scored 2718 in those innings. A stupendous average of over 53, along with a staggering strike rate of almost 90 solidify MS Dhoni's stance as one of the best number 5 batsman for India. Four of his Ten ODI hundreds have come from this position. Already one of the best ODI batsman of all time, Dhoni is now solidifying himself as the best three down ODI batsman in the world.

#1 Yuvraj Singh

India's best batsman at number 5 position.
Yuvraj remains India's best batsman at number 5 position

Yuvraj Singh started his ODI career from the number 5 slot, played some of his most memorable innings from this position. Even during the 2011 World Cup, where he was chosen as the man of the tournament, Yuvraj batted from number 5 slot. Although, he moved up the order later on in his career, the Indian number 5 slot, for a long time, was the permanent position for him.

The southpaw played 92 innings from this position, scoring 3040 runs at an average of almost 40, significantly more than his career average of 36.5. The aggressive batsman that he still is, his strike rate of 88 always came in handy for the team while scoring quick runs during the slog over. The fact that 7 of his 13 ODI came from this position solidify his stance as one of the greatest number 5 batsmen in the history of ODIs.

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Edited by Ram Kumar