Hardik Pandya, the new number 4 batsman?

BENGALURU: There is little doubt that the famed Indian batting lineup is in safe hands these days. The fourth spot in the 50-over games is the only one that seems to not have a specialist occupant, with many players being tried. In the years gone by, many have tried to cement their claims for the number four job. Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni – all have tried their bit.

The latter was endorsed by Ganguly for the job and even though he had played a few match-winning knocks, the spot was always open to experiments. However, with 2019 World Cup approaching, Virat Kohli has already started his planning.

He has tested Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya. While Jadhav clicked once against Sri Lanka, the next two didn’t do well to justify their claims over the spot. Pandya, however, is an exception. Since his match-winning 78 in the Indore game -- after hitting a fantastic 83-run knock off 66 balls in the first ODI -- he seems to have been on Kohli’s mind. Pandya followed that with an innings of 41 runs in the fourth ODI in Bengaluru.

He shared a 78-run stand with Jadhav to upset the Aussie spin attack. He could retain his new spot in the future, according to Kohli. Kohli said the plan was to go after spinners and Pandya was the right man. “Promoting Pandya was a part of the plan – to go after spinners and score some quick runs early on in the game. He did a good job in at Indore and here.

His technique is good and has got a solid defence. He is not just a slogger,” he said. While Pandya is just an option now, he can very well become India’s specialist number four if he continues to perform. “Pandya has done well in the last two games. If he continues to do well in that spot, gains more confidence and if he can understand how to take the game till the end, I think he can be a regular at that spot,” Kohli noted. For now, Kohli is open to different options and keeps rotating them. But in England in 2019, when conditions won’t be conducive for spinners, will Pandya still be an option? With his ability to get things done quickly, he might be the man to get the job done.

Bench strength

Kohli also made it clear that in dead rubber scenarios, he will continue to test his bench. On Thursday, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav were rested. Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami came into the squad. All are in Kohli’s plans for the World Cup. But surprisingly, local boy KL Rahul didn’t make the cut.

Pandey reserved his place and contributed 32 runs. “We won the series and we had to try others at some point. You need to give those guys game time. I think Umesh and Shami did a good job. We will do the same in the future. If one plan doesn’t work, then one has to make another plan and execute it well,” Kohli said.