India's No.4 answer in KL Rahul

Yuvraj Singh, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Rahul again, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Pandey again, MS Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer – India tried ten different combinations and eight different players at No.4 since the 2017 Champions Trophy in England but unfortunately, none of the above could stand up and claim “I am India’s No.4 in ODIs.”

Yuvraj Singh, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Rahul again, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Pandey again, MS Dhoni and Shreyas Iyer – India tried ten different combinations and eight different players at No.4 since the 2017 Champions Trophy in England but unfortunately, none of the above could stand up and claim “I am India’s No.4 in ODIs.”

The uncertainty over the middle order’s slot in ODIs is such that the number could rise from eight to nine in India’s next ODI assignment in England with the addition of Ambati Rayudu. Rayudu who had a breakthrough season with the IPL champions Chennai Super Kings, emerging as their highest run scorer. However, there is another dynamic right-hander, who is ready to stake a claim the ODI No. 4 spot. KL Rahul is among the very few, who has volunteered for the No. 4 slot, despite his preference to face the new ball as an opener.

After a terrific IPL with Kings XI Punjab, scoring 659 runs in 13 innings, Rahul is now ready to cement his spot in the Indian ODI side and that too as a No. 4. "If they want me to bat at No 4, then I am up for challenge," Rahul told TOI on the sidelines of an event in Chandigarh.

Not that Rahul did not get his opportunity to bat at the middle order, he was the chosen one in the ODI series in Sri Lanka last year but failure to read a certain Akela Dananjaya, meant the Karnataka right-hander fell face first and even ended up losing his place in the ODI side.

"Right now my aim is to score runs for my country and it doesn't matter if it is coming as an opener or in the middle order. As long as I am performing these things don't matter but the final decision is taken by the team management,” Rahul said.

Rahul also stressed on the need to opt for a specialist No.4, keeping the ODI World Cup in mind, which is in less than twelve months time.

"My childhood dream is to play the World Cup and if the team management wants me to bat No 4, I am ready to do it because nothing is bigger than playing for India. I hope to continue with my recent form in ODIs too," Rahul added.

India will play three T20Is and three ODIs in England, which will be followed by a five-match Test series.