The issue of number 4 within the Indian batting order in ODI cricket has haunted the management and think tank for several years now. Ravi Shastri and Co. have tried several batsmen at the number 4 spot since the 2015 World Cup.
The likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, and Ambati Rayudu, just to name a few. After the culmination of the last season, it seems that Mumbai ace batsman Shreyas Iyer has cemented his spot at the debatable number 4 position.
Each time he has represented the Indian team at the said position, he has impressed progressively. After a top-heavy batting line up featuring Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the Indian team in limited-overs cricket, are in dire need of removing its brittleness in the middle.
However, post-Australia and New Zealand ODI series earlier this year, Iyer appears to be the best bet for the Indian team in the foreseeable future at number four.
Now, former Indian cricketer, Mohammad Kaif has given his verdict on the best number four the Indian team can have, and it is none other than the Mumbaikar.
“I am a huge fan of Shreyas Iyer, Firstly, he has come out of domestic cricket, having played many years there. He has not got an opportunity too quickly for India. He has played IPL for a number of years, scored many runs, then only his name came. His name has come at the right time because he is hungry. He is bored of playing domestic cricket and wants to play for India,” Kaif told Aakash Chopra on his Youtube channel.
Also, together with KL Rahul at number 5, the middle-order looks complete for India in white-ball cricket, with Hardik Pandya as the finisher, coming in at number 6.
“He is mentally very sorted, has a great understanding of his game and his role. He doesn’t get angry easily and thinks a lot before speaking,” he added. “He has gained a lot from captaining in the IPL because you learn to take responsibility. Since he has become captain, he has become a better player. India will not get a better player than Shreyas Iyer at No.4,” Kaif concluded.
