Most successful number six batsmen for India in ODIs

Ajay Jadeja
Ajay Jadeja was India's designated finisher during the 1990s

The number six slot, which usually belongs to a finisher or an all-rounder, is a key position in any ODI lineup. Not only does he have to score quick runs in the last few overs of the innings, the batsman also has to act as the team's supplement or extra bowler.

In some lineups, the batsman plays as a finisher and assumes the responsibility to take his team to the victory. Australian legends Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey, two of the greatest finishers in ODI history, made a name for themselves with their batting exploits from this spot. Legendary all rounders like Imran Khan also created wonders from the number six position.

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

Indian cricket history is full of players who have played some memorable innings from this position. Here are six of the best batsmen who hogged the number six spot for India in ODIs.


#6 Ajay Jadeja

During the mid to late 1990s, Ajay Jadeja was a permanent member of that ODI squad. Along with Robin Singh, he regularly batted in an aggressive manner in the otherwise defensive Indian team. Jadeja, batting in the lower middle-order, was the perfect blend of a steady and attacking batsman.

Batting at number 6 in 43 innings, the right-handed batsman scored 1324 runs at a healthy average of 37.83 and a strike rate of almost 76. Not only did Jadeja achieve his highest individual score of 119 from this spot, he also played the best innings of his career. During his valuable 45 from 25 balls against Pakistan in the 1996 World Cup, he came in at number six and bashed the legendary Waqar Younis all around the stadium.

#5 Robin Singh

Robin Singh was India's Jonty Rhodes in the fielding department.
Robin Singh was an asset to the ODI team during his heydays

During the 1990s, Robin Singh was the closest replacement for Kapil Dev in India's ODI team. A more than handy lower order batsman who could chip in with a few overs as well, he had a decent ODI career for India. Famous for his impressive fielding, the left-hander was instrumental in taking India to the victory number of times.

Playing at number six on 65 instances in his ODI career, Robin Singh scored 1325 runs at an average of almost 26. Batting at a strike rate of 74, he scored five of his nine 50-plus scores from this position. Although the numbers may not seem too impressive, he was a true match winner for India at a time when they were struggling in all the aspects of the game.

#4 Kapil Dev

Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev is India's greatest all-rounder across both Tests and ODIs

Kapil Dev was a genuine match winner for India during his glorious career. Be it with the bat or ball, the all-rounder was always there to perform at his best for the team. Hence, it is no surprise that India still has not found a successor to the flamboyant player. The search for someone who can open the bowling and chip in with some vital runs at the lower order continues even 25 years after Kapil's retirement.

'The Haryana Hurricane' batted at either number six or seven for majority of his career. At number 6, he batted on 70 instances and scored 1383 runs at an average of 26.60. At the time when a strike rate of 75 was considered to be stunning, Dev's strike of almost 98 was a precedent of the performer he was throughout his illustrious career. His 175* against Zimbabwe in the victorious 1983 World Cup campaign is still regarded as the best ODI knock by an Indian batsman.

#3 Suresh Raina

Raina was India's best pinch hitter in the last 10 years.
Suresh Raina can change gears effectively during the end overs

MS Dhoni's tenure as captain is regarded as the golden age of Indian Cricket. During the latter half of 2000s, several new players debuted and made a name for themselves with their impressive performance. None of them could reach the heights and achieve the success that Suresh Raina has been able to accomplish.

Although he made his ODI debut under Rahul Dravid's captaincy tenure in 2005, Raina blossomed during Dhoni's stint as skipper. Batting at the number six slot in 61 ODI innings thus far, he has scored 1706 runs at an average of over 35. For a batsman batting so down the order, strike rate is more important than average as the players tend to play aggressively. Raina, whose strike rate at this position is almost 94, is an ideal example of a player who made a mark while batting at number six.

#2 Yuvraj Singh

The Lion from Punjab was a destructive batsman in the lower order.
Yuvraj was a destructive batsman in the lower order

The Natwest Trophy win in 2002 is one of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket history. The famous victory in the final came courtesy of some impressive batting display from Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif. The duo stitched a vital partnership to take India to the victory.

While Kaif went on to have a productive ODI career, Yuvraj has gone on to have an illustrious career. Be it batting at number 4 or 5 or 6, the southpaw has always played with full zest and scored runs from all the positions.

Yuvraj has played at number six in 59 ODI innings thus far and has accumulated 1799 runs at an average of almost 37 and strike rate of 84.50. Even though he has been out of the team currently, his contributions in the middle-order can never be forgotten.

#1 MS Dhoni

Dhoni became a legend with his batting at number 6.
Dhoni has become a legend with his consistent performances at the number six position

There is a reason why, even after 300 ODI matches, MS Dhoni has a batting average of over 50. For the majority of his ODI career, he has batted at either number five or six slots and played till the end of the innings. While he has now become a senior middle order batsman with the responsibility of providing stability in the middle overs, Dhoni was one of the most destructive lower order batsman in the world at his peak.

Dhoni has come out to bat on 124 occasions thus far at number six and scored 3987 runs. An average of almost 47 and a strike rate close to 84 are definitely remarkable numbers for someone who has also performed wicket-keeping duties with success. His unbeaten 139 against Australia, where he took India from 76/4 to 303/9, is one of the top illustrations of his batting prowess.

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Edited by Ram Kumar