5 contenders for India's number four slot ahead of ODI World Cup 2023
Post the 2015 World Cup, India have struggled to find an ideal fit for the number-four position in the 50-overs format.
3. KL Rahul
Rahul has been quite prolific with the bat for India in the white-ball circuit. He has featured in 72 T20Is and accumulated 2265 runs at a strike rate of 139.12. When it comes to the ODIs, the 30-year-old has scored 1665 runs in 45 games at a strike rate of 87.86.
Rahul, who is India’s designated opener in T20Is, has adapted well to the middle-order role in the 50-overs format. When it comes to batting at two down, the flamboyant batter has scored 209 runs in six games at an average of 41.80.
The Indian vice-captain has the ability to read the situation and adapt accordingly. He can weather the storm when the team is in trouble and also has all the shots in the book to take any bowling line-up to the cleaners with his stroke play.
Rahul was looked at as the right fit for the number four role way back in the 2019 World Cup and given his batting prowess, the team management could stick with him in the build-up to the next year’s marquee tournament.
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