World Cup 2019: India's ideal middle order for the game against England

If you are a fan of the Indian cricket team, chances are you might be on cloud nine now. India are the only unbeaten team in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 so far. They have won five games so far, while one of their fixtures was washed out due to rain.

However, things aren't as smooth as they seem, if we take a closer look. Before the start of the World Cup, India’s primary concern was the number 4 position. KL Rahul's promising displays in the warm-ups helped him occupy the position, but with Shikhar Dhawan's injury, the Karnataka-born batsman was shifted to the top of the order.

Vijay Shankar, who is rated highly for his all-round abilities, has failed to justify his selection. He has scored only 58 runs in three innings at an average of 29, the worst among the Indian batters. His strike rate of 77 is not impressive either.

There have been talks of replacing Shankar with either Dinesh Karthik or Rishabh Pant. However, doing that would limit Virat Kohli’s bowling options. Hence, a tried and tested campaigner in Ravindra Jadeja should be selected.

Though the Three Lions are not having a great tournament, they are still a very intimidating limited overs side. Hence, India must sort out their middle-order debacle quickly.

On that note, we analyze India’s ideal middle-order for the crucial game against England.

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Number 4 – Mahendra Singh Dhoni

MS Dhoni

There have been talks about Rishabh Pant or Dinesh Karthik’s potential selection, but why try anyone else when a veteran is the best answer to the problem?

Many pundits have slammed the former Indian skipper for his slow strike rate, but it is imperative to learn that the Jharkhand-born cricketer tries to play the anchor’s role. Perhaps, Dhoni is coming in a bit late, as he requires some time to get things going.

The 37-year-old has a phenomenal ODI average of 50, but little do we know that he is a better batsman at number 4. When the World Cup-winning skipper bats at number four, his average goes up to 56.

India needs a responsible batsman to come in at two-down, someone who can build partnerships, avoid further loss of wickets and play the big innings. And with Dhoni expected to face many more deliveries and set his eye in, it is only better for the team.

Number 5 – Kedar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav

Like Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav too is having a pretty ordinary tournament. The lad from Maharashtra has scored only 68 runs in the tournament so far, at an ordinary average of 34.

It has led to the speculations that Jadhav might be axed from the playing XI. However, if it actually happens, it might turn out to be a decision the Indian team management will end up regretting.

Jadhav has not got too many opportunities with the bat either. He is perhaps batting very low down the order.

He has mostly batted at number 6 or 7 in the tournament. It will be a good decision to promote him up the order as he will get the time to settle down. Once set, Jadhav can prove to be a very dangerous batter in the last few overs. The Kedar Jadhav-Hardik Pandya combination can do wonders for the Men in Blue in the slog overs.

Number 6 – Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya has been fairly decent for India so far in the tournament. He is an inseparable part of the Indian cricket team and has his place in the playing XI perfectly sealed. He has scored 142 runs so far at an average of 35, but it is his strike rate of 142 which sets him apart.

With MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav ahead of him, number 6 will be the best position of Hardik Pandya.

Though he will face more balls if he bats at number 5, India need him during the slog overs. Of course, the batting flexibility of the side allows the powerful strokemaker to shift up the order as well.

Hence, India need to hope for a solid foundation to be laid by the top five, and leave the rest on Pandya. With a career ODI strike rate of over 120, the 25-year-old is as good a finisher as they come.

Number 7 – Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

With the last four members of the Indian team in sublime form, it leaves us with only one vacant spot – the number 7. Another veteran - Ravindra Jadeja - is the answer to our questions. The 30-year-old has an ODI average of nearly, 30 at strike rate of over 80.

But what’s more important is that Jadeja can be a very effective bowling option. He has picked up 174 wickets in 151 ODIs, and has an exceptional economy rate of under 5.

Jadeja's accuracy, ability to break partnerships and get through his overs quickly can release the pressure off Hardik Pandya’s shoulders. The man from Saurashtra is also an electrifying fielder.

To top it all off, he seems to like the Englishmen a lot, as his batting average nearly doubles when he faces England. He has also picked up 37 wickets in 22 ODIs against England. With such a superlative record against the Englishmen on their own soil, he has got to play.