5 players who can bat at number four for the ODI World Cup in 2023

2. KL Rahul

KL Rahul, along with Shreyas Iyer, is a key player for India in the World Cup pool. Rahul has primarily batted at positions five and six since the 2019 World Cup. Finishing the inning has been rather successful for him. In light of Rishabh Pant’s absence, he is an easy choice because he is also keeping wickets.

But this time, it appears that KL must bat up the order if Iyer doesn’t return in time. During the IPL, KL himself had an injury that prevented him from playing for Team India. He is currently on the road to recovery. In a few days, we shall learn the most recent developments after he participates in a practice match at NCA. KL has played this position in the past four years three times, totaling 189 runs, including a century.

KL has every qualification to play at number four. He has already performed that in CWC 2019, and this time, he will play the CWC at home. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja can provide a strong finale if he can maintain control and pace the inning. It takes a senior like him to hold the innings.

3. Hardik Pandya

When the subject of number four is brought up, Hardik Pandya is one of the few names that can be mentioned. Cricket experts, though, will enquire and state their positions. He can, however, take the challenge and come up with the order. And Hardik enjoys difficulties like these. For his IPL team, Gujarat Titans, he has consistently played at number four. Therefore, he is adept at performing under pressure.

Hardik’s performance as a batter has significantly improved over the past few months. He has added more nuance to his batting and is now viewed accepting responsibility. He takes his time to settle in so he may play the entire game and then finally explore. Several seasons ago, he was a finisher instead of a straight middle-order batter due to the addition of a new element to his game.

But only if both KL and Iyer miss the bus for Asia Cup should this alternative be used. The Asia Cup and Australia Series are your final chances to use Hardik as your number one batsman in the World Cup. But it may be difficult to move Hardik up the order in this circumstance, potentially exposing the batting tail earlier than anticipated. However, team management must make a risky decision because who knows how well this surprise move will work?

4. Shubman Gill

Making Shubman bat at number four is another choice that Indian selection and team management can consider. Although it may raise a few eyebrows, the reality is that everything is becoming hazy. However, Shubman is complimenting Rohit Sharma and providing strong starts to the order. The gap between numbers three and five, however, needs to be filled by someone.

Particularly this year in ODI cricket, Gill has been in fantastic form. However, he batted first in each of his games, which was his best position. India might take a chance and lower his rank in order to give him the reins. The moment has come to make the call before he realizes he is out of place mid-WC.

When considering this choice, Ishan Kishan will take Gill’s place at the top. Gill is the better choice between Kishan and her. In the event that something severe occurs, all of these alternatives are kept in mind. Then, to help Gill gain a feel for the game, he must be given plenty of opportunities to bat at number four.

5. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, who bats at number four, is India’s third-highest run scorer in innings starting in 2000, behind Yuvraj Singh and Rahul Dravid. To assume the following batting position as well for someone who has made number three his own may seem unexpected. Virat used to frequently appear at number four early in his career. There, batting two down, he scored his maiden World Cup century, as well as a remarkable 35-run knock in the championship game against Hobart.

Although Virat used to play relatively frequently up until 2015, after then, in his only two innings at number four, he amassed 23 runs. Virat can bat from position four, though, given his versatility and past performance. He is also much more experienced and reliable at bat than any of his peers. Virat won’t mind if the team asks him to do so given his enthusiasm and sense of teamwork.

Only in dire circumstances should this be done. There is a gap at number three because Virat is dropping down. Since it won’t significantly affect his first game, Gill should bat at that spot. Ishan is also able to bat in his preferred location.