According to all the media, social and otherwise, India have a problem with their number four position in One Day Internationals. But what if India’s performance at number four in ODIs isn’t as dire as it seems?
Historical perspective
Before we dive into the numbers, let’s take a trip down memory lane. India hasn’t traditionally excelled in producing outstanding number four ODI batters. Their top players have typically been slotted in the top three positions. Interestingly, other prominent Asian teams, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, have boasted prolific number fours. India haven’t been entirely devoid of talent in that position. Legends like Mohammad Azharuddin and Rahul Dravid have graced the spot, not to mention Yuvraj Singh, who ranks as the third-highest scorer at number four.
Since 2014, India has struggled to find a consistent performer at number four. Surprisingly, even lesser-known cricketing nations like Scotland, Namibia, the USA, and PNG have managed to produce batsmen with 1000 runs at that position during this period. India has experimented with multiple players but hasn’t found a reliable solution.
World Cup Analysis
Examining India’s performance at number four in recent Cricket World Cups, we find mixed results. In the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Ajinkya Rahane filled the role, averaging just over 40 with a strike rate in the low 80s. These numbers are reasonable, especially considering the era’s standards. However, the 2019 Cricket World Cup witnessed a revolving door of players at number four. Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, and KL Rahul all had their turn. India’s collective performance in this position during the tournament was disappointing, with the team having the second-worst average among all participating nations.
Since the 2019 World Cup, India has tried a staggering 11 players at number four. This might seem excessive, but it’s partially due to India’s extensive schedule and a genuine quest for the right fit. When we consider the number of games played by each number four, India’s number doesn’t feel that high. On average, each Indian number four plays around six games, which means they change their number four less than most teams. It’s important to note that India isn’t constantly cycling through players; they simply have more matches than most teams.
Comparative analysis
To understand India’s performance better, we must compare it to other top cricketing nations. Contrary to popular belief, India’s batting at number four has been quite competitive when compared to teams like Australia, South Africa, England, and New Zealand. India’s numbers since 2019 hold up well against this elite group.
The fixation on India’s number four problem may stem from the shadow cast by Yuvraj Singh. The power and speed of Yuvraj’s scoring mean he is remembered as an even better player than he was. A normal number four doesn’t hit the same.
However, the narrative isn’t entirely bleak. Shreyas Iyer’s emergence has brought hope to the number four slot. He has been one of the best performers in this position since the last Cricket World Cup, boasting an impressive average and a striking strike rate, especially in home ODIs. Yet, Iyer hasn’t played much recently, and his form has dipped.
2023 turnaround
India’s number four conundrum seemed more pronounced earlier this year. Up until September, India’s number fours averaged less than 20 in 2023. However, the following seven games have seen a remarkable turnaround, with the average jumping to over 70. This is a common pattern in cricket, often influenced by injuries and form fluctuations.
A closer look at India’s batting averages by position since the last Cricket World Cup reveals a slight dip at number four. However, this is not unique to India, as the combined averages of other top teams show a similar trend. In fact, India’s batting averages still outshine those of their competitors, placing them in an elite category. They have been one of the best teams when batting at number four. Even when compared to the other four favourites for the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
If Shreyas Iyers or KL Rahul is fit, there is simply no issue at all. India have been been a really good team when it c🉐omes to nꦺumber four, outside of a few bad innings in a row, and a weird last Cricket World Cup.
The verdict: India’s number four dilemma – Fact or fiction?
So, do India have a problem with the number four position, or did they just have a few people going through the position who didn’t make runs for a short period of time? It’s definitely the latter, but if India have a bad innings or two to start, this will be the loudest storyline you will hear.
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