Three Batsmen Who Can End India's Number Four Conundrum

The Indian team has had its perennial issues with the number four batting position. The team management has tried oodles of batsmen at the troublesome place but it has been to no avail thus far. Consequently, the middle order has been India's Achilles Heel and the think tank must find a solution to it.

On the other hand, it should also be noted that India's top three batsmen - Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli have done the lion share of the scoring for the team. Hence, the middle order hasn't received a lot of opportunities. However, it can not be denied that the batters who have been backed have disappointed whenever they had a chance to prove their mettle.

Subsequently, it would make sense to look at the young generation and throw them their well-deserved opportunities. Furthermore, it should also be noted that these batsmen should get a longer run to prove their credentials as we have seen a lot of chop and change hasn't helped the team.

We take a look at three players who can put paid India's number four issue.

Shubman Gill

India's prodigy batsman Shubman Gill is knocking hard on the selection doors. Gill has been in impressive form for India A and scored 218 runs which included three fifties against West Indies A recently. Thus, the 19-year old was awarded the Man of the series. However, he still could not make the cut into the senoir team.

Nevertheless, Gill once again did his bat do all the talking for him as he scored a brilliant 204 in the third unofficial Test match against West Indies A. The right-hander has the skills to score his runs at a healthy strike rate and he can also rotate the strike at regular intervals which holds the key for a number four batsman.

Ergo, it is a matter of time before we see Gill in action with the big boys of Indian cricket.

Also see - Live cricket score

2. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has done a good job.

Shreyas Iyer has shown the promise to be the future of Indian cricket. Iyer was able to break into the Indian side for the West Indies tour after his impressive shows for the A team. In fact, the Mumbai batsman should have received his chance a lot earlier. The talismanic batsman scored 187 runs in the four innings at an average of 62.33 against West Indies A.

Iyer has the skills to move the ball into the gaps for ones and twos and he should be given a longer run at the number four position. The Delhi Capitals skipper has scored 210 runs in the five innings at an average of 42 for the Indian team. However, surprisingly, he didn't get his opportunties despite performing well for the side in the bilateral series against Sri Lanka in 2017. Furthermore, Iyer had scored 463 runs in the IPL 2019.

3. KL Rahul

KL Rahul will like to deliver the goods.

The International level pushes the players to go beyond their comfort level. Rahul has been a regular opener but with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan ticking the right boxes, the right-hander can get some more opportunities to bat at number four. The flamboyant batsman has a lot of talent under his belt but he hasn't been able to do justice with it so far.

Thus, there is no doubt that the Karnataka batsman can deliver the goods in the middle order if he bats at his best. Rahul had scored 361 runs in the World Cup but his strike rate of 77.47 was not impressive.

Consequently, Rahul will like to turn the tables if he gets a chance in India's middle order. He has the game to do it but he would need to grab his opportunities with both hands.