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Headstrong India bags the Caribbean challenge amidst the middle order slopping off

Jeremy Caroll

India on Wednesday recorded their first series win in 2022 under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. A decent knock of 49 runs by KL Rahul, followed by handy and steady innings by Suryakumar Yadav of 64 runs while batting at fifth position paved a way for an average team total of 239 runs. However, hadn’t it been a heroic spell by Prasidh Krishna, the Indian team would have felt the heat of not scoring big in the encounter against big-hitters, as it was evident by Shamrh Brooks and Odean Smith’s ability to target the stands.

The team looked far from settled when the constant shuffling of batting positions may open the debate for trial and tribulations in the middle order. If looking into the batting stream, the arrival of Shikhar Dhawan would mean the comeback of India’s one of the successful opening pairs, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, but it pushes KL Rahul down the order, perhaps, at number four. But as Rishab Pant and Rahul, both being tried at number four – a position that has been long vacant and unfixed since the exit of Yuvraj Singh from the team – it raises doubts on the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer in the team.

The unorthodox and consistent style of Suryakumar Yadav, averaging at 65.5 in ODI and 34.86 in T20’s, is earning him a place in the side but at number five, specifically demanding him to finish off the matches. To corroborate the streamline of the batters in the team causing a headache for the team selection, Hardik Pandya, who has long held the responsibility of adding balance to the side, would be the first-choice finisher to replace Shardul Thakur or Suryakumar Yadav. Thus, the lower-middle order would majorly witness a re-shuffle, but the middle order awaits clicking runs ahead of upcoming world events.

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