'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#5 Lokesh Rahul
If there is any particular player (apart from Virat Kohli) who currently deserves a place in the Indian team starting XI irrespective of the format, then it should be Lokesh Rahul. Rahul had a dream IPL 2018. He scored 659 runs in just 14 innings with the strike rate of 158.41.
Trending
Kohli then pulled the rabbit out of his hat by sacrificing his no.3 spot for Rahul in the T20I series. The switch yielded both the batsmen with desired results.
Considering the success of the switch, Kohli might follow the same template in the ODI series to put an end to the never-ending no.4 conundrum. Even Rahul did an audition for the no.4 spot with not much success.
With Rohit and Dhawan fixed as regular openers, no.3 is the only position through which Rahul can earn a ticket to the 2019 ICC World Cup.
Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news
