Contents
Introduction
The ICC World Cup 2023 is just around the corner and the Indian cricket team is preparing for the biggest event in the sport. The team has a strong and balanced squad, but there is one question that remains unanswered: who will bat at the crucial No. 4 position in the batting order? The No. 4 spot is often considered as the bridge between the top order and the middle order, and requires a batsman who can adapt to different situations and play according to the team’s needs.
In this article, we will analyse three young and talented batsmen who have emerged as strong contenders for the coveted spot, based on their impressive performances in the domestic circuit and in international matches. They are Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer. We will compare their stats, skills, strengths and weaknesses, and try to find out who is the best suited for the No. 4 position in the World Cup 2023 for India.
Who is the best batsman for No. 4 position in World Cup 2023 for India?
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is a stylish and aggressive right-handed batsman who can play shots all around the ground. Yadav has been a consistent performer for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy and for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He made his international debut in March 2021 against England and scored a half-century in his first T20I innings. He also scored a fifty in his maiden ODI innings against Sri Lanka in July 2021. Also Yadav has an average of 45.66 and a strike rate of 134.10 in T20Is, and an average of 62.00 and a strike rate of 101.63 in ODIs.
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan is a dynamic and explosive left-handed batsman who can also keep wickets. He has been a prolific run-scorer for Jharkhand in the domestic tournaments and for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He made his international debut in March 2021 against England and smashed a fifty off just 28 balls in his first T20I innings. Also Ishan Kishan also scored a fifty in his second ODI innings against Sri Lanka in July 2021. He has an average of 28.00 and a strike rate of 145.83 in T20Is, and an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of 104.03 in ODIs.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer is a classy and elegant right-handed batsman who can also lead the team. He has been a prolific run-scorer for Delhi in the domestic tournaments and for Delhi Capitals in the IPL. He made his international debut in December 2017 against Sri Lanka and scored his first ODI hundred against New Zealand in February 2020. Shreyas Iyer also scored a century against Australia in the second ODI in Indore on September 24, 2023. He has an average of 42.37 and a strike rate of 99.16 in ODIs, and an average of 22.86 and a strike rate of 133.33 in T20Is.
The comparison
The following table shows the comparison of the three batsmen based on their stats, skills, strengths and weaknesses:
| Batsman | Stats | Skills | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suryakumar Yadav | T20I: Avg – 45.66, SR – 134.10 ODI: Avg – 62.00, SR – 101.63 | – Can play shots all around the ground – Can rotate strike well – Can accelerate when needed | – Has good temperament – Has good range of strokes – Has good adaptability – Perfect 360 Player | – Has less experience at international level – Has not faced quality bowling attacks – Has not played in different conditions |
| Ishan Kishan | T20I: Avg – 28.00, SR – 145.83 ODI: Avg – 31.00, SR – 104.03 | – Can play aggressive shots – Can keep wickets – Can bat at any position | – Has good power-hitting ability – Has good hand-eye coordination – Has good confidence | – Has less consistency – Has less technique – Has less patience |
| Shreyas Iyer | T20I: Avg – 22.86, SR – 133.33 ODI: Avg – 42.37, SR – 99.16 | – Can play classy shots – Can lead the team – Can anchor the innings | – Has good experience at international level – Has good technique – Has good temperament | – Has less strike rate – Has less power-hitting ability – Has less flexibility |
The verdict
All three batsmen have shown their potential and talent at the highest level, but who among them is the best suited for the No. 4 position in the World Cup? Based on their recent performances against Australia, one can argue that Shreyas Iyer has an edge over the other two. Iyer scored a magnificent 105 off 90 balls in Indore, while Yadav scored a quickfire 72 off 37 balls and Kishan scored only 18 off 18 balls. Iyer showed his ability to anchor the innings as well as accelerate when required, which is essential for a No. 4 batsman. He also displayed his temperament and technique against quality bowling attack, which is crucial for playing in pressure situations.
Moreover, Iyer has more experience than Yadav and Kishan at the international level, having played 25 ODIs and 29 T20Is so far. He also has more exposure to playing in different conditions, having toured New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and West Indies with the Indian team. Iyer also has a proven track record of leading Delhi Capitals to the IPL final in 2020 and to the playoffs in 2019. He has shown his leadership skills and maturity on several occasions, which can be an added advantage for the team.
Therefore, based on these factors, one can conclude that Shreyas Iyer is the best batsman for the No. 4 position in the World Cup 2023 for India. Iyer has the skill, temperament, experience and confidence to handle any situation and play according to the team’s needs. He can be the ideal partner for Virat Kohli at No. 3 and provide stability and solidity to the middle order. He can also be a potential captaincy option for India in the future.
However, this does not mean that Yadav and Kishan are not worthy of being in the World Cup squad. They are also talented and versatile batsmen who can play at any position and provide depth and firepower to the batting line-up. Aslo They can also be used as floaters or finishers depending on the match situation and the opposition. They can also be handy with their fielding and wicket-keeping skills. They can be valuable assets for the team and provide healthy competition for the No. 4 spot.
Hence, India have a rich pool of talent and options for the No. 4 position in the World Cup 2023. It will be interesting to see how the team management and the selectors will choose the best combination and strategy for the mega event. The fans and the experts will also have their opinions and preferences, but ultimately, it will be up to the players to perform and deliver on the big stage.
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News summary
Here is a possible news summary of the blog post article:
- The article analyses three contenders for the No. 4 position in the Indian cricket team for the World Cup 2023: Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.
- The article compares their stats, skills, strengths and weaknesses based on their domestic and international performances.
- The article concludes that Shreyas Iyer is the best suited for the No. 4 spot based on his experience, technique, temperament and leadership qualities.
- The article also acknowledges that Yadav and Kishan are also talented and versatile batsmen who can be useful for the team in different roles.
- The article states that India have a rich pool of talent and options for the No. 4 position and it will be interesting to see how the team management and selectors will choose the best combination and strategy for the World Cup.
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