India's No.4 hassle continues

After some incredible performances and topping the league stages in the ongoing world cup in England dominant team India faced a surprising defeat in the semi final against New Zealand.

Rishabh Pant was the latest no.4 for India in the world cup 2019

Right from 2015, the Indian cricket team’s search for a No. 4 batsman in ODIs is still relevant. Despite numerous candidates applying for the same post, not one has been able to stake a long-term claim. Or probably the Captain-Coach duo didn't let anyone settle in?

After the champions trophy 2017 defeat in the final the search was fast tracked with numerous candidates being tried out. The build-up to the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 saw the most desperate phase in the search of a No. 4 batsman. After Ambati Rayadu's good run at no.4 but a sudden dip in form in the IPL and series against Australia at home saw him dropped from the 15 man squad for the world cup. Despite zeroing in on one candidate, adjusting to injuries, situations and conditions saw India playing as many as four batsmen at No. 4 in this World Cup. 

When questioned about the issue Head coach Ravi Shastri had a peculiar reply “In hindsight, yes, we did need a solid batsman out there in the middle order. But now, that’s something for the future. That’s a position that was always giving us problems, but we just couldn’t nail it. [KL] Rahul was there but then Shikhar Dhawan got injured. Then Vijay Shankar was there, and he got injured. We just couldn’t control it,”  Clearly the search for no.4 took a toll on Coach and the Captain. 

Looking at the number of batsman's being tried out clearly shows the captain doesn't let someone settle in on that position. continuous chopping and changing made the position uncertain. Probably the highest authority being handed over to the Captain has put the team in sort of bother not just this world cup but from the last couple of years. 

What can we possibly expect from no.4 position?

Rishabh Pant:

Here's a 21yr old guy out of the IPL fame with a reputation of hitting the long ball suddenly saw him in the world cup squad as a replacement for the injured Shikhar Dhawan. Probably it was too soon for him at the big stage without being groomed at the particular position. With trend of game changing middle overs he can add value to the batting order as he can attack spinners as well as the seamers and can strike at pretty good pace. Hopefully we will see him being given an extended run at no.4 

Manish Pandey:

Batting at no.4, when Manish Pandey smashed a scintillating century in Australia to help India chasing a daunting total of 330 runs, it looked like India had found the right man to bear the burden of the stearing the middle order. Since the conclusion of the World Cup 2015, he is the only Indian to score a century away from home while batting at number four. While very few chances were given to him the Captain-Coach haven't put a faith on him. His fielding artistry enhances the idea to have him in the playing XI, as he is someone who can turn the match even on the field. Manish has proved that he is a great athlete and is someone who can save a lot of run on the field. After a fantastic run in the IPL could see him the side in search of the perfect no.4.

Shreyas Iyer:

Much like the other names in the list apart from Ambati Rayadu who got the longest rope the this position, Shreyas Iyer was also tested but not briefly.

The Delhi Capitals and current India A Captain had a pretty good IPL season with the bat in the middle order. Pre-dominantly Iyer with his ability to play spinners and rotate strike makes him a good player in the middle order and can stabilize the innings even if the top order tumbles. Currently Shreyas is leading the India A side in the ongoing A tour in West Indies. Who knows he might be put again in the mix of things.

While Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya still being suited at no.6 and 7, we may not see them grabbing that no.4 spot anytime soon.

Someone like the England team after their early exit from WC 2015 rectified their batting flaws and built a dominating batting lineup, probably the best overall batting lineup currently. 
Can team India do something similar to England? India with the best top three in the world are half way there, they just need to get that middle order right.