The race to be India's new ODI No.5

The number 5 is a tricky position to handle in the modern day ODI cricket. At No.4 you consolidate, and at No.6 accelerate, but No.5 always has to be very flexible – with the batsman often needed to play a role mid-way between anchoring and stepping on the gas-pedal.One needs to have a stable head and sufficient imagination in order to fulfill the very transitional demands of this role. Not to mention that the Indian youngster today has players like Yuvraj Singh as the predecessor whose boots they have to fill at this position.It’s not everyone that gets blessed with the natural flair of a Yuvraj or someone like Jayawardene. With the batting order in sufficient flux, and more changes due very soon, the position in the batting order that’s been affected the most has been this: No. 5.Following is a list of likely candidates who lead the race to become permanent in this position for the Indian team.

#1 Ajinkya Rahane

One mustn't forget of course that in Tests Rahane’s usual slot is No.5

In the near future, we might see the departure of MS Dhoni from the One-Day side, which means there will be more inexperience down the order.

If the new wicketkeeper-batsman is pushed up the order the best scenario would be Suresh Raina and Ajinkya Rahane alternating in the no.5 and no.6 positions, in a way that's not very dissimilar to how Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke used to alternate their positions for Australia based on whether there was a right-hander or a left-hander at the crease, in order to keep a right-left combination going.

Both have sufficient flexibility and experience in order to occupy these two positions, which would ensure India doesn’t get too top-heavy as well. When added to the fact that the rapidly improving Mumbaikar has succeeded in pretty much every position he’s played in (noticeably as No.4) although his preferred slot is the opener’s, you get an indication that he’s likely to succeed in this slot as well.

One mustn't forget of course that in Tests Rahane’s usual slot is No.5, and you have a fairly foolproof blueprint for a future middle-order.

#2 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina’s presence is a blessing to any modern team in the limited overs format

The destructive southpaw is a blessing to any modern team in the limited overs format. Destructive hitting abilities, coupled with his good temperament means he can adapt to different roles, and is always committed to the team’s cause.

Alongside Ajinkya Rahane in the future, Suresh Raina should be the leading prospect to occupy the No. 5 and No. 6 positions in the team. Ideally speaking, the position he comes in at should be decided on the basis of whether there’s a right-hander or left-hander playing at the crease.

Although we’ve seen the kind of damage he has done for the Chennai Super King’s in the IPL, playing at No.3, in International cricket one of his most successful averages is playing at No. 5.

He’s shown in the past how he handles the transition part of the role very smoothly, shifting gears from rotating the strike to blasting the bowling to all parts of the ground after the 40th over.

#3 Ambati Rayudu

Ambati Rayudu has spent enough amount of time around the team to prove he belongs

In cricket, there is no assurance that a plan would succeed, and therefore it is very important to have a viable plan B. In case the Raina-Rahane plan falls through, Ambati Rayudu would be the next best batsman to turn to. Someone who’s spent decent enough amount of time around the team to prove he belongs in the big league.

As his recent good form against Zimbabwe indicates, he’s ready to grab his opportunities to make a permanent slot for himself in the team. With Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli at the top, No. 5 is a position Rayudu can man decently, and pave the way for more explosive batsmen to come in at No. 6 & 7.

Having said that, one is yet to see him perform and prove himself against all attacks and in all conditions.

#4 Manish Pandey

Obviously, with just one ODI under his belt till now, it is impossible to promise Manish Pandey would even last in International cricket, let alone fixing a slot for him. But judging by the way he was able to anchor the Kolkata Knight Riders’ innings in previous editions of the IPL, in case the Bangalorean does become a permanent feature in the side, No. 5 won't be a bad slot for him.

Already with a debut knock of 71, Pandey has given glimpses of his class. With the top order likely to be more or less fixed, No.5 appears to be the slot that is up for grabs. (Especially keeping in mind the fact, MS Dhoni is obviously going to take a decision on his career after the T20 World Cup in 2016).

It is as good as any for someone like Manish Pandey, with a first class average of over 50, to make his own!

#5 Kedhar Jadhav

Kedar Jadhav has learnt his lessons well from his horrible debut series against Sri Lanka

In the 3rd ODI against Zimbabwe in the recently concluded series at Harare, India were tottering at 82-4 at the end of 20 odd overs. It was then that the mature yet stroke filled 105 by Kedar Jadhav, and the classy 71 by Manish Pandey, saved India the blushes and took them to 276 at the end of 50 overs.

If anything, it seemed Kedar had learnt his lessons from that dreadful debut series against Sri Lanka, where he earned his captain (Virat Kohli’s) ire at having been irresponsible, despite express instructions to follow a game-plan.

Two unheralded players, seemed ready to stake a claim for the future of the Indian middle order in Harare. Although as of now it seems injuries or loss of form alone, to senior players, would enable Jadhav to have a place in the team, one has to prepare for eventualities.

When shifting around has to be done, the Maharashtra player is a good one to turn to take care of the No. 5 slot for the team.