Former India batter Suresh Raina has suggested names of four batters who could solve Team India’s woes in the middle order, as the Men in Blue prepare for the ICC World Cup 2023 which will be played at home in India itself. He named Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, and a surprise in Rinku Singh.

The Indian team has tried and tested a lot of players in the middle order after the 2015 World Cup, when the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Ajinkya Rahane, Vijay Shankar, Shreyas Iyer, and others were given a chance to cement their spots at no.4 and 5 in the playing XI for the 50 overs format.

Now in a conversation at Indian Express’ Idea Exchange, Suresh Raina admitted that the issue has troubled India since the 2015 World Cup and that the management should identify players “who can play perceptively in the middle order.”

“Since the 2015 World Cup or 2017-18, it has been a problem for four-five years now. We’ll have to identify players who can play astutely in the middle order. Those who are playing need to get an opportunity to play in a situation where they need to finish for the team,” he said.

Suresh Raina Throws A Surprise Name In Rinku Singh Along With Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav And Shubman Gill As Options For Indian Middle Order

India has been trying its hard to find some capable batters in the middle order who can win India matches even if their top three batters fail to do the job. For the past 3-4 years, India has been dependent on Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli to give them flying starts, but when 2 or 3 of them fail to come good, Indian middle-order crumbles.

Hence, Suresh Raina picked four batters who can do justice in crucial positions in the middle of the Indian batting lineup.

He said: “I think Rishabh Pant can perform that role well. Shreyas Iyer is another player who can do it. Suryakumar Yadav too. Somewhere, selectors and coaches will need to show that trust in them. And I’m sure they’ll prove themselves. These four-five players, plus Shubman Gill is one of those players who can play well in the middle order. Then there’s Rinku Singh from UP, who’s done well in domestic cricket.”

Rinku Singh was a surprise name suggested by Raina, and he was roped in by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL mega-auction for ₹55 lakh. He plays for Uttar Pradesh, hailing from Aligarh, and had done well for the Knight Riders in previous editions of the IPL as well.

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