5 Players Who Can Bat At Number 4 For India In World Cup 2023

image-ll6pdtioKL Rahul could be an option for India at number 4 (Twitter)

The World Cup 2023 is around the corner and the whole India seems busy in chalking out plans for the marquee event. A lot of people have whole lot of different opinions on India's team selection and the debate around it is generating more and more fire with each passing day. 

The biggest talking point though remains the number 4 position, which was an issue in the 2019 World Cup as well. Since Yuvraj Singh's omission after the 2017 Champions Trophy, no one has been able to seal that position. The Men in Blue have tried more than 15 players since 2017 at the number 4 position in the ODI format but with World Cup 2023 just two months away, the confusion continues to pile on.

So, let us now see which five players can fit in at number 4 position for the all-important home World Cup for India.  

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer is the strongest contender for the number 4 spot. He has been brilliant over the last couple of years at number 4, and looked all set to take that place in the World Cup before injury halted his progress. He has not played ODI cricket for India since the series against Bangladesh and there is still an element of doubt over his fitness. 

Shreyas Iyer has played 20 innings at number 4 for India and has scored two centuries and five fifties at that position. He has 805 runs with an average of 47.35 and if he does get fit before the World Cup, expect Indian management to back Iyer for that coveted number 4 position.

Also, Shreyas Iyer has the ability to mould his game according to the game situation and can use the long handle pretty well when needed.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul is another strong candidate for the number 4 position. However, he has been batting for India at number 5 in last few years. He has good numbers at 5 with 742 runs at an average of 53 in 18 innings. Rahul though has done well at number 4 too and has scored runs at an average of 40.17 at that position.

If Shreyas Iyer is not fit, India might well try Rahul at 4, who has the game to stabilise innings if needed and can score runs at a brisk pace as well.

Sanju Samson

Sanju Samson has got limited chances in ODI cricket, but has grabbed his chances with both hands. He has scored his runs at an average of 55.71 in 12 innings at a strike rate of 104 and smashed a quickfire fifty at the number 4 position against West Indies on India's tour to Caribbean in 2023.

He has the ability to take the game on and can win games single-handedly, if he gets going.  However, Samson has not batted at number 4 position for India in many games and his aggressive approach can be a double-edged sword. He has the tendency to throw away his wickets in a bid to score quickly and if he manages to find a right balance between caution and aggression, he can be a game-changer for India.

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan scored three consecutive fifties in the ODI series against the Windies but all those runs came at the top of the order. However, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill would most likely open for India in the World Cup and Ishan Kishan would have to bat in the middle order, if he wants to fit in the XI.

Ishan though has scored only 106 runs in 6 innings at an average of 21.20 at the number 4 position and his inability to rotate strike in the middle overs, is a bit of worry. However, he is a left-hander and that could go in his favour as all other batters in the middle order are right-handers.

Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma has recently impressed in T20Is with his consistency and matured approach. There is quite a buzz around him and many people have suggested his name for the number 4 spot in ODI cricket. 

Tilak Varma has a brilliant record in List A where he averages 56.18 with five hundred and five fifties in 25 innings. He is also a left-hander and has shown the ability to deliver under pressure. He could be a great choice but it could be a gamble to suddenly include a newbie in the World Cup squad.