5 issues India need to resolve at the Asia Cup 

#4 The No 4 slot

Australia v India - Game 5

In Rohit Sharma, Shikar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli, India have a formidable top three. The three have scored more runs than anyone else in the world over the past few years. However, the same cannot be said of the batting order following them. The other positions are up in the air. One of them is the all-important No 4 position.

Over the last one and half years, India has tried eight players in the role. Yuvraj Singh, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Ajiyanka Rahane and KL Rahul have had had a go at some time or the other. However, It is fair to say that India is no closer to finding a solution.

A part of the reason is that except Yuvraj no player has got more than five players at the position. However, the fact remains that no player has made the slot his own.

Here is where Virat Kohli's absence might be a blessing in disguise for India. While KL Rahul is the likely option to play at number three, India must resist the temptation unless they wish to use him as a number four when Kohli returns.

Rather, the team management should use this as an ideal opportunity to give two candidates for the number four slot a chance.

The best candidates in the Asia Cup squad for the role must be Ambati Rayudu and Manish Pandey. Both players stood out in the recently concluded 'A team' Quadrangular series. While Manish Pandey scored 306 runs in the four matches without losing his wicket even once, Rayudu, on the other hand, scored 187 runs at an average of 62.33.

Having earned their place back in the Indian team, the Asia cup presents both of them with a perfect opportunity to make it their own.