Who can solve India's number 6 position concern in ODI cricket?

[Ab Fan]

Post the Windies series, India would feel that they are in a better position than they were earlier as the middle order issue seems to have been fixed to certain extent, at least the role has now been clearly specified to Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant at 4 & 5. There might be a few more failures and a few success for the two young blokes but I believe these two are long term solutions for India and should be given long rope now. We have lot of options at top but not many in middle order.

The question right now is for no 6 position. For now, the best XI that India can field in ODI cricket is as follows:-

Rohit
Dhawan/Rahul/Agarwal
Kohli(c)
Iyer
Pant(wkt)
______
Pandya
Jaddu
Kuldeep/Chahal
Shami
Bumrah

At no.6, what India needs is a batsmen who can bowl a bit just to give some support to Pandya and Jadeja on their bad day in field. Shivam Dube has the potential in his batting to take the no.6 role and can be a handy 6th bowling option but is a pace bowling option.

Who else do you think fits the role the best for India right now? Or should India go for a genuine batsmen?

Discuss!

 

[Mamoon]

Pant should be number 6 with someone like Samson batting at 5.

 

[jnaveen1980]

India is full of players with one-dimensional ability. So Pandya's re-entry is crucial.

 

[Hyperion66]

Pandya

 

[Sin Nombre]

Pandya is your #6.

Rohit
Dhawan/KL/Mayank
Kohli
Iyer
Pant / Samson
Hardik
Jadeja
?
Shami
Kuldeep/Chahal
Bumrah

The #8 is a bigger question mark for India. Need a wicket-taking bowler (like Saini potentially) who can ton a couple (like Shardul did today).

India could also have KL pick up the gloves and have Gill be at 4/5.

 

[Hyperion66]

India is full of players with one-dimensional ability. So Pandya's re-entry is crucial.

I don't get what you mean by that? Rohit, KL, Kohli, Pandya,Pant are all more than able to change gears and hit sixes at will. Even Iyer and Dhawan can bat at a very decent clip. Strike rate isn't the issue, reliability and consistency is below top 3.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I don't get what you mean by that? Rohit, KL, Kohli, Pandya,Pant are all more than able to change gears and hit sixes at will.

one-dimensional with skill not gears. Batsmen can't bowl. Bowlers can't bat. That is why Jaddu is even in the reckoning.

 

[CricketDon]

It’s simple. Suresh Raina. Hard hitting, Intelligent and is a proper batsman not just a slogger.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It’s simple. Suresh Raina. Hard hitting, Intelligent and is a proper batsman not just a slogger.

He is washed up. Can't even bat well in the IPL. He is just giving room looking clumsy. Otherwise a great clutch player.

 

[Hyperion66]

one-dimensional with skill not gears. Batsmen can't bowl. Bowlers can't bat. That is why Jaddu is even in the reckoning.

Sorry then, I misunderstood. I totally agree by the way that our bats can't even finger spin a couple overs. Ganguly, Sachin even Sehwag won matches with their bowling.

 

[Hyperion66]

It’s simple. Suresh Raina. Hard hitting, Intelligent and is a proper batsman not just a slogger.

Bro you messed up the timeline, Raina would fit the role perfectly a decade or so back.

 

[RyanRyan10]

It’s simple. Suresh Raina. Hard hitting, Intelligent and is a proper batsman not just a slogger.

He isn't even playing domestic Cricket!

 

[Sidilicious]

No. 6 needs to be a batsman who can contribute a few overs with the ball.

Rohit
KL
Kohli
Iyer
Pant
Batsman who can bowl
Pandya
Spinner 1 - Kuldeep, Chahal, Jadeja
Spinner 2/Pace Bowler 3
Pace bowler 2
Bumrah

The other option is to play Pandya at 6, Jadeja at 7. 3 more pacers and 1 spinner make this a very strong bowling unit but a weakish batting unit with Jadeja at 7.

If we end up playing a batsman who can’t bowl at 6, we risk being a bowler short if there is an injury to one of the bowlers or if one of the bowlers is having a bad day.

Are there any MO batsman who can bowl? Sundar?

 

[BreadPakoda]

Dhoni uncle is coming back and he will take one spot

 

[Ab Fan]

No. 6 needs to be a batsman who can contribute a few overs with the ball.

Rohit
KL
Kohli
Iyer
Pant
Batsman who can bowl
Pandya
Spinner 1 - Kuldeep, Chahal, Jadeja
Spinner 2/Pace Bowler 3
Pace bowler 2
Bumrah

The other option is to play Pandya at 6, Jadeja at 7. 3 more pacers and 1 spinner make this a very strong bowling unit but a weakish batting unit with Jadeja at 7.

If we end up playing a batsman who can’t bowl at 6, we risk being a bowler short if there is an injury to one of the bowlers or if one of the bowlers is having a bad day.

Are there any MO batsman who can bowl? Sundar?

Probably these three.

Kedhar Jadhav
Ambati Rayudu
Shivam Dube

 

[Ab Fan]

Dhoni uncle is coming back and he will take one spot

This doesn't look bad as well.

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Iyer
Dhoni(wkt)
Pant
Pandya
Jaddu
Kul/Cha
Shami
Bumrah

But need someone as sixth bowler.

 

[jnaveen1980]

This doesn't look bad as well.

Rohit
Rahul
Kohli
Iyer
Dhoni(wkt)
Pant
Pandya
Jaddu
Kul/Cha
Shami
Bumrah

But need someone as sixth bowler.

Pant can play only as a keeper. Not good enough to be a specialist bat.

 

[Ab Fan]

Pant can play only as a keeper. Not good enough to be a specialist bat.

Then play Dube at 6, Pandya at 7 and Jaddu at 8 with Iyer and Dhoni in the middle order. But I don't see Dhoni playing for India for long term now.

 

[Nabeel23]

Then play Dube at 6, Pandya at 7 and Jaddu at 8 with Iyer and Dhoni in the middle order. But I don't see Dhoni playing for India for long term now.

Try Gill at 4, Iyer at 5, Pant 6 and Pandya at 7. Gill is very talented but won’t be getting in the top 3 anytime soon so should come in at 4. Pant is a talented player and can change gears so he should play at 6.

 

[tyron_woodley]

contrary to what people believe. Vijay shankar is the man for the job. Give him more chances. He wasn't given enough opportunities before the world cup. He was randomly brought in for rayudu out of nowhere. Shankar can bat and is decent with the ball. Or just give dubey more opportunities. He was actually quite good in domestic first class. He may Improve.

 

[jaisan]

Suryakumar yadav or jadeja

 

[Mean&Green]

I think babar Azam can

 

[Smudger]

Rahul
Rohit
Kohli
Iyer
Shankar
Pant
Pandya
Jadeja
Chahal/Kuldeep
Shami
Bumrah
Probably the best line up India can come up with