India currently ranked second in the ICC One Day Ranking is predominantly a batting unit. We all know the current batting lineup in the ODIs is something that makes the team stand up at that position in the ranking. But recent series loss against Bangladesh has again caused a few ponderings over the established lineup that was used in the World Cup 2015. The Indian ODI lineup has always been a chaos at least to me. Ever since the Tendulkar-Sehwag era of opening ended, it has become a puzzle. Must admit that I am a proud fan of the Indian team and especially the way they have performed everywhere in the world. We arguably are the best batting force in ODIs which is clear from the fact that the only team Australia with a higher rank or even the likes of South Africa have a much better bowling lineup in majority of conditions. But the batting line up has more been Dhoni’s innovation than the classy self they used to be.
Rayudu After Scoring his 2nd ODI Century [ESPNCricinfo]
up at number 4. Except Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli, there actually is real uncertainty of whether or not players are playing their best positions.
When talking about Shikhar Dhawan, he is a perfect fit as an ODI opener. Much improved now, Dhawan is basically the key reason to India’s success in the past. A natural stroke player Dhawan is vulnerable against swing and will certainly be among the underachievers in high lateral movement wickets against genuine swing bowlers like, say Anderson. But in almost all other conditions, Dhawan has proved himself to be a great one day player indeed. In Australia, he takes on the pacers cutting and pulling their lengths off. On
subcontinent tracks, he is almost a bully. On slow wickets, he holds himself back in early overs and targets the spinners. In England and may be New Zealand, other batsmen might probably have to take the
responsibility of making the extra efforts to cover up for Dhawan, but for me there is no doubt in his credibility as the one day opener. Similarly for Virat Kohli, who works hard on his weaknesses, number
three is the best suited position.
The turned into opening batsman Rohit Sharma has given spectacular and magical performances since the time he has become opener for India. Few days back, I still wasn’t into the opinion of him being the
opening batsman. I always thought Sharma is someone who can slog very cleanly. His ability to hit sixes could be useful to solve the death over problem seen in the recent past with India. But Sharma as an
opener has convinced me finally. Not after first double hundred, not after the second one. But may be after the Australian tour including the world cup. Even with Sharma at middle order, there will be
problems. He takes first few deliveries to get in and then can be bizarre with his hitting. On some occasions he might choke in an urgent death over situation. Giving him to open the innings gives him
perfect time to get his eyes in and meanwhile take the shine away from the new balls to make it easier for Viral Kohli. So, Sharma satisfies the opening slot well.
Rahane’s problems are pretty clear in the one day arena. I agree with Dhoni’s verdict on Rahane about slow wickets. Rahane does choke into middle overs. As I have written previously, Rahane is more a Tendulkar
mould batsman who needs proper cricketing boundaries to get going. Rahane is an aggressive gap picker and is perfectly suited for the opening role. But on quick wickets, having him in middle overs can be a brilliant move as well, as India can look to up the run rate very early. Reminds me of his amazing innings against South Africa in the world cup, in my opinion his best ODI efforts till date. The six against Steyn will never fade from my mind. But unless Rahane works on his technique, he is going to be a disappointment in the subcontinent and Rayudu seems a better choice. But again in Aussie conditions, Rayudu failed to show any good in the limited opportunities he got in the tri series before the world cup. But he was promoted to play at
number 3. Rayudu doesn’t have a high under pressure impacting innings like Rahane. Rahane has been memorable and classy. Just like Dhoni, Rayudu is unclassy but the thing is, he has performed. He has
maintained an average of 45 by consistently getting those 40s and 50s. Rayudu looks more comfortable in rotating strike while Rahane needs ground shots to get going. Powerplay seems to be the ideal place for
Rahane to be in. The updated ODI rules will further stop Rahane at middle order because getting boundaries will be harder.
Rahane is a beautiful batsman, we need to have him in any format of cricket. But right now at least for slower wickets he will only be the third opener unfortunately. Rayudu also has a lot to learn playing for India if he has to be the regular member of the side.
Suresh Raina has also shown lack of ability to build innings at number 5 hence he is also more suitable at number 6 only with Dhoni coming up at 4 or 5. The reasons Dhoni is looking to bat at 4 are his lately discovered inability to hit the ball that easily and lack of strike rotators there. Dhoni wants to take that role with Raina completely being the pitch hitter at 6. But with number 7 being a vulnerability with India not having quality all rounders, pressure will be right on Raina because in crisis he might have to play the supporting role. Raina definitely needs to learn playing big innings like a proper batsman like I have mentioned in the previous article.
The conclusion is a negative for Ajinkya Rahane because Rayudu has given no reason to fire him out of the line up. The only solution to play him is to have him open the innings with Dhawan and let Sharma take up the number 5 position. That will put pressure on Raina and Rayudu because either of them is going to play at 6. Rotating and selecting 2 out of Rohit, Raina and Rayudu seems to be the only fair solution. But again Rohit has justified himself as an opener has made it even more difficult. With none of Utthappa, Jadhav and Tiwary showing good in Zimbabwe, there is not going to be a drastic change in the batting line up for near future. What is your take on the lineup puzzle.
Rayudu, Rahane and the ODI Batting Lineup Chaos.