Number 4 and Number 5 spots in India’s ODI team: India’s preparation for the 2023 ODI World Cup starts with the West Indies series. They are slated to play a 3-match series in the Caribbean. India has around 10-12 games before they kickstart their World Cup campaign. Most of the players pick themselves in the playing XI right from the openers to the allrounders as well as the first choice of seamers. But there are a few spots that need to be addressed. India is once again looking to finalize the number 4 and number 5 spot in a World Cup year.

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We look at Number 4 and Number 5 spots in India’s ODI team:

#1 Shreyas Iyer

He has earned the right to be India’s first choice for the number 4 spot. Shreyas Iyer has time and again proved his worth batting at numbers 4 and 5. He is one of the few modern Indian players who is excellent against spin. Iyer fancies his chances against spin of all kinds. In 42 ODIs he has scored 1,631 runs at an average of 46.6 and a strike rate of 96.50. Iyer’s two centuries came against quality oppositions like New Zealand and South Africa. If he is deemed fit, India should zero in on Iyer at the earliest.

#2 KL Rahul

He is another player who is expected to start the World Cup batting at number 5. KL Rahul’s ODI career turned a new corner when he started batting at number 5. He has shown the game awareness to consolidate, accelerate or stabilize the innings batting at number 5. Rahul averages 45.10 and strikes at 86.6 in ODIs having played 54 games. He is also lying low with injury, if he is declared fit, he should slot in at 5 directly.

#3 Suryakumar Yadav

He was expected to be India’s X-factor in the ODI setup too. But SKY has failed to replicate his T20 brilliance in ODI cricket. He became one of the few players to suffer the ignominy of 3 golden ducks in 3 consecutive innings. The management though has shown faith in his abilities. But SKY needs to put in a performance of note soon. He can play the role of an aggressor at number 5.

#4 Ishan Kishan

He offers the luxury of having a left-handed batter in the top order. Ishan Kishan has got many chances at different positions in the ODI team. He slammed the fastest ODI double hundred but was forced to give up his opening spot. Kishan has put in a couple of impressive performances batting in at number 4/5. He has an aggressive game that can help India dominate in the middle overs. 

#5 Sanju Samson

He averages an outstanding 66 after playing 11 ODIs. Sanju Samson’s story is one of the most spoken about in Indian cricket. For a player of his talent he ought to have played more games. But the fierce competition within the team never allows him to get a long run continuously. He has shown that he has the acumen to match his talent batting at number 5 in the ODI team. Samson is a match-winner on his day. India should find ways to provide him with opportunities to cement his spot.

#6 Axar Patel

He is one player whose batting has improved tremendously in the last 12-18 months. Axar Patel was India’s most consistent batter in the BGT series. He continued his good batting form in the IPL. But he offers pretty much the same as Ravindra Jadeja does. This makes it difficult to play the both of them together. But if India wants to leverage his batting skills then a left-field move of playing in at number 4/5 could prove to be pivotal.