The Indian Cricket Team has been struggling off-late with their middle-order. Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli are sorted as the top 3 batters. The top order is good to go. In a few games, they will all be back in form. But speaking about the middle-order, it looks concerning. The number 4 conundrum is yet to be solved. The void of Yuvraj Singh is yet to be filled! So, what can be the ideal number 4,5 6 combinations? Who are the top players for this combination? Here is an in-depth look:
1) Combination 1 for the Middle-Order in the Indian Cricket Team:
- Number 4: Shreyas Iyer
- Number 5: Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Number 6: Hardik Pandya (Batting All-Rounder)
- Number 7: Ravindra Jadeja (Bowling All-Rounder)
The first combo is that of Shreyas Iyer at 4, Pant at 5, and Hardik at 6. All the combinations have Hardik Pandya at number 6. The reason is that his presence on the field brings in a lot of energy. Hardik is not putting in 100% effort while fielding as he has been specifically asked to do so. But the moment he puts in a 100% he is a gun fielder too! Rishabh Pant will be taking the gloves in this combination.
2) Combination 2 for the Middle-Order in the Indian Cricket Team:
- Number 4: Rishabh Pant (WK)
- Number 5: Suryakumar Yadav
- Number 6: Hardik Pandya (Batting All-Rounder)
- Number 7: Ravindra Jadeja (Bowling All-Rounder)
The net combination has SKY in place of Shreyas Iyer. There is a word around that Iyer struggles against the short-ball (Something that I don’t believe). So, SKY can fill his void. SKY brings along with him an elite set of 360-degree strokes.
3) Combination 3:
- Number 4: Suryakumar Yadav
- Number 5: KL Rahul (WK)
- Number 6: Hardik Pandya (Batting All-Rounder)
- Number 7: Ravindra Jadeja (Bowling All-Rounder)
This is a very exciting combination. It has KL Rahul at number 4 and will involve Rishabh Pant getting dropped. The fact of the matter is that Rishabh is having mediocre numbers in ODIs. So, why not bring in Rahul when he is fully fit. Jadeja is the reliable number 7 batter in this case.
4) Combination 4:
- Number 4: Shreyas Iyer
- Number 5: KL Rahul (WK)
- Number 6: Hardik Pandya (Batting All-Rounder)
- Number 7: Deepak Hooda (Bowling All-Rounder)
This combination is rather similar but involves a new name. The name is Deepak Hooda. Hooda has been rising in the ranks for a very long time.
5) Combination 5 for the Middle-Order of the Indian Cricket Team:
- Number 4: Rishabh Pant
- Number 5: KL Rahul (WK)
- Number 6: Hardik Pandya (Batting All-Rounder)
- Number 7: Deepak Hooda/Ravindra Jadeja (Bowling All-Rounder)
The last combination is of playing KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant both. One player is technically very sound and the other is very expressive. Similarly, Hooda and Pandya can be used down the order. KL Rahul and Pant have previously played together in the England tour of India 2021. Back then, the Indian cricket team effectively implemented the “All-Out Attack” Strategy.
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