India's strongest second choice playing XI in ODIs

#3 Middle-order

Shreyas Iyer

KL Rahul

KL Rahul has shown his potential across all formats. His form has not been extraordinary over the last few innings that he has played. However, he has shown a glimpse of his prowess.

Rahul's fortunes in the limited-overs formats have been drastically different. His T20i record is second to only Virat Kohli and he performed well in the only ODI that he played recently in the Asia Cup.

Shreyas Iyer (c)

Shreyas Iyer is a player who has been churning out runs for fun over the last few years. He is an integral part of the Mumbai team and can also chip in with a few overs of spin. His aggressive batting can reduce the pressure on his side. The right-hander's consistency is remarkable and he can be relied upon across formats. Furthermore, he can handle pressure well and has shown impressive leadership skills as well.

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal is currently one of the most unfortunate batsmen in the domestic circuit. Despite scoring more than 2000 runs last year in domestic cricket, he has been on the receiving end of the selector's apathy.

Furthermore, plenty of players in lesser form have debuted ahead of Mayank. He is an aggressive batsman who scores at a brisk pace. His excellent technique and fitness are additional attributes. Although he is yet to make his national debut, the right-hander from Karnataka can offer solid bench strength to the ODI lineup.

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill started his career with a bang as he emerged as a vital cog in India's victorious U-19 World Cup team. He is now a regular presence in the 'A' teams. The dynamic youngster has a penchant for scoring big. This is evident from his recent performances in the Vijay Hazare trophy. He can develop into a crucial player for India and can provide stability in case of a top order collapse.