KL Rahul Might Be The Solution To Team India's No. 4 Conundrum For The World Cup

Who will be the designated number four batsman for India at the upcoming World Cup? While many contenders have thrown their hats in the ring for the spot, the Indian selectors will have their task cut out when they will sit down to pick the 15-member squad for the mega event, to be played in England and Wales, starting May 30.

The number four conundrum is a big one for India. Since the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy India have tried as many as eleven players at the number 4 position and yet there is no clarity on who will bat at number 4 for India at the World Cup or going forward.

The likes of KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant are all possible candidates. The very talented Vijay Shankar could be part of the World Cup squad and the selectors might want to try him at that position too.

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KL Rahul's chances of being picked did get a fillip after he scored a brilliant unbeaten 100 in an IPL match recently. Though Virat Kohli had said before the tournament began that IPL performances will not be a benchmark for World Cup selection, current form is something the selectors will be taking into account.

In his first seven innings in IPL 2019, Rahul scored 317 runs, at an astonishing average of 79.25. The 26 year old has scored three fifties and one century so far and is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament so far. It will be fair to say Rahul is hopeful of booking a World Cup berth.

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Speaking to TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview a week after IPL 2019 began Rahul said, ¡°It is the most prestigious tournament for any cricketer in the world. It is the dream of every cricketer to represent the country in the World Cup. It will be a brilliant opportunity.¡±

Rahul, who is one of only 15 cricketers who have scored a century on ODI debut, scored 89, while opening the innings against England Lions in an unofficial Test in February this year, before notching up a fifty against Australia in the first T20I in Visakhapatnam in the same month.

Rahul has played 14 ODIs so far and scored 343 runs at an average of 34.30. Not surprisingly, he is ready to bat in any position, if given a chance in the quadrennial event.

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"Wherever the team requires me and wants me to fit in, I will go and give my best. If they want me to field, I will. If they want me to bat at No. 3, 4 or open, I will be ready as per the team's requirements. It's a team sport," Rahul said on being asked about whether he will be ready to bat at Number 4 if given the responsibility.

For now, Rahul wants to focus on his batting and wants his willow to do the talking.

"World Cup selection is not in our hands. For now, my focus is on IPL. I want to score as many runs for my team (KXIP). I am not thinking and worried about it (World Cup selection). If I get a chance, I will give my best," Rahul signed off.