India will look to solve the middle order conundrum

The Asia Cup is here, and more than anything else it is an opportunity for all the sides to look at the players who would be part of their World Cup sides. For India, they would like to see the claimants to the middle order spots do well. And, in absence of Virat Kohli who has done the bulk of scoring in any form of cricket for Team India in the last few years, the middle order might get exposed more often than not. 

A lot of words have been written about the No 4. position, but it seems the entire middle order has been looking less than optimum in the run up to the World Cup next year. So, the Team Management needs to hope that some or all of Ambati Rayudu, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav and even MSD and Hardik Pandya be amongst runs ensuring Virat Kohli is not missed. But the focus will be on the No.4 spot and Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey and DK are likely to be thrust into that role (assuming KL Rahul is used at No.3)

Contenders for the No 4. spot

Ambati Rayudu has been the most consistent out of the three, whenever he has got a chance to play, and his impressive ODIs average of 50.23 screams for attention. He had a good IPL earlier in the year playing for Chennai Super Kings, and his game is well suited to the No. 4 slot. But can he play the moving ball in England next year?

Manish Pandey deserved a look-in on the back of a rich vein of form for India-A scoring 233 runs without being dismissed. He could not have timed his prolific run better. What goes in favour for Manish Pandey is his better strike rate of more than 93 compared to Rayudu (76) or DK (73). He rotates the strike very well and could be a perfect folly for MSD.

DK had an unbelievable IPL this year, the memories of which are fading now. His bat has been silent ever since and although nobody doubts his talent, he will need to improve his career average of just 25.00 and produce some match-winning knocks in the Asia Cup to remain in the scheme of things after an ordinary Test series in England. 

Whether or not Rohit Sharma makes tactical moves to win individual matches in the tournament, it is imperative that he makes good use of Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik. Conditions in UAE shall be hot and humid but nevertheless with good batting surfaces, and to win matches Team India will have to bat deep and not depend too much on the Top 3 to deliver all the time. If you ask me, it was time to blood Rishabh Pant instead of Dinesh Karthik. Time is running out for DK !