The countdown to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa has begun. October 2027 might feel far away, but for the Indian team management, the clock is already ticking loudly. One spot in the batting order remains more open than any other: the crucial No. 4 position.
India have a history of middle‑order collapses in high-pressure ICC knockouts. The scars from 2019 and 2023 are still fresh. That’s why the search for a permanent No. 4 isn’t just another selection debate – it could define India’s chances of lifting the trophy.
Let’s break down the ideal profile for this role, examine the frontrunners, and predict who should get the long rope.
Historical Context of the Number Four Conundrum
India’s obsession with finding a reliable No. 4 isn’t new. The position has been a recurring headache for selectors and captains for years. In the 2019 World Cup, the lack of a settled No. 4 was one of the biggest talking points. Ambati Rayudu was groomed for the role, then dropped. Vijay Shankar was tried. Rishabh Pant was flown in. None of it worked.
In the semifinal against New Zealand, India collapsed to 5/3. The middle order had no answers. Former all‑rounder Yuvraj Singh slammed the management, saying the team should have backed one player rather than chopping and changing.
The 2023 World Cup was a different story. Shreyas Iyer made the No. 4 spot his own, amassing 530 runs in 11 innings at an average of 66.25 and a strike rate of 113.24. India stormed into the final. But when Iyer got injured in 2025, the old uncertainty returned.
In his absence, the team tried Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rishabh Pant, and even Sanju Samson as possible replacements. The pattern is clear: when the first‑choice No. 4 is unavailable, the backup plans are fragile. With the 2027 World Cup less than 18 months away, India cannot afford to enter another mega event without a settled, match‑ready No. 4.
Defining the Ideal Profile for a Number Four Batsman
The No. 4 position in modern ODIs is not a specialist role. It’s a hybrid. The batter walking in at that spot needs to do three things well:
- Survive early crisis. If the top order collapses cheaply, the No. 4 must have the technique and temperament to rebuild the innings without letting the run rate dip. This requires a solid defence, good judgement, and the ability to rotate strike.
- Attack spinners in the middle overs. Between overs 11 and 40, spinners dominate. The No. 4 must be a superb player of spin – able to score freely without taking undue risks.
- Accelerate at the death. If the top three have done their job, the No. 4 must be able to shift gears and finish strongly. A strike rate of over 100 is non‑negotiable; 110+ is ideal.
The ideal candidate also brings versatility. Can they bat at No. 3 or No. 5 if needed? Can they keep wickets? Do they offer a bowling option? These are bonuses, but the core requirements are clear: consistency, strike rotation, and spin‑playing ability.
Leading Contenders for the Number Four Spot
Shreyas Iyer The Proven Performer
If fitness were not a concern, there would be no debate. Shreyas Iyer is statistically the best No. 4 India have had since the position became a talking point.
Batting at No. 4 in ODIs, Iyer averages 51.72 with a strike rate of 103.02. He has nine half-centuries and four hundreds. His record against spin is exceptional – he scores at over 100 runs per 100 balls against slower bowlers, and he neutralizes the middle‑over stranglehold better than anyone else in the lineup. In the 2023 World Cup, he was India’s third‑highest run‑scorer, behind only Kohli and Rohit. He has four of his five ODI hundreds at No. 4.
The problem is fitness. Iyer missed the entire home series against South Africa in late 2025 due to a lacerated spleen sustained during the third ODI in Australia. He has also had recurring back issues. If he can stay fit, he walks into the XI. But with the 2027 World Cup in bouncy South African conditions, the team management must have a reliable backup plan – because Iyer has a history of breaking down at the worst moments.
KL Rahul The Versatile Option
KL Rahul is India’s most adaptable ODI batter. His numbers across positions are remarkable: at No. 4, he averages 55.80 (13 innings, 558 runs, 2 hundreds, 3 fifties). At No. 5, his average jumps to 56.48 (31 innings, 1299 runs, 2 hundreds, 9 fifties).
Rahul’s biggest strength is his ability to plug into any batting position and deliver. He can anchor, he can finish, and he keeps wickets. If India want to play an extra batter or an extra bowler, Rahul’s flexibility allows it. Against the moving ball, he has better technique than most. In South Africa, that could be decisive.
The downside is that Rahul has not consistently batted at No. 4 in recent times. He has been used at No. 5 and No. 6 more often. And at 34 in 2027, his reflexes will be a question mark. Still, if Iyer is unfit or out of form, Rahul is the safest bet to step in and not let the team down.
Rishabh Pant The X Factor
Rishabh Pant is a different beast. His ODI record (871 runs in 31 matches, average 33.50, strike rate 106.21) is not as impressive as Iyer’s or Rahul’s. But those numbers don’t capture his impact.
Pant is a left‑hander in a mostly right‑handed top order. That alone disrupts the bowler’s lengths. He can take down spin from the first ball and has the power to clear any boundary. In a chase, he is a genuine match‑winner. In the 2025 IPL, he scored a match‑winning 68* off 50 balls for Lucknow Super Giants.
The concerns are consistency and fitness. Pant has been injury‑prone, and his shot selection can be reckless. He also has a poor record at No. 4 – most of his ODI runs have come at No. 5. If the team wants an aggressive middle‑order hitter, Pant is the best option. But for the stability required at No. 4, he remains a gamble.
Emerging Talents and Dark Horses
The wildcard is Ruturaj Gaikwad, one of several promising names emerging from India’s growing pool of uncapped Indian players. He had never batted at No. 4 in List A cricket before being asked to fill in for Iyer against South Africa. In his 86th List A innings, he walked in at a new position and scored a maiden ODI hundred – 105 off 83 balls, with 12 fours and 2 sixes.
R Ashwin, who played with him at CSK, has backed Gaikwad for a long run at No. 4, pointing out that he handles seam well, is a terrific player of spin, and runs hard between the wickets. Ashwin also noted that batting at No. 4 would allow Gaikwad to avoid early movement against the new ball.
Gaikwad is a rare batter who averages above 55 in List A cricket. His ability to find gaps and rotate strike is elite. However, he is a natural opener, and if Rohit and Gill are both fit, there is no room for him at the top. The team management must decide whether to invest in him at No. 4 or let him wait.
Other names like Riyan Parag (young, aggressive, but unproven in ODIs) and Sanju Samson (technically gifted but inconsistent) are further down the pecking order. For the 2027 World Cup, they remain dark horses at best.
Strategic Analysis of the Top Contenders
Let’s evaluate the top three candidates against key criteria.
Iyer – The Complete Package
- Strengths: Elite against spin, proven in big tournaments, has the numbers.
- Weakness: Injury‑prone. Cannot be relied upon to play every match.
Rahul – The Safe Pair of Hands
- Strengths: Outstanding averages at No. 4 and No. 5, keeps wickets, adaptable.
- Weakness: Lacks the explosiveness of Pant or Iyer. Can be slow to start.
Pant – The Chaos Merchant
- Strengths: Game‑changing ability, left‑handed advantage, high strike rate.
- Weakness: Inconsistent, injury‑prone, not a natural No. 4.
If India want a settled, predictable option, Iyer is the clear first choice. If they want insurance and flexibility, Rahul is the backup. If they want to surprise opponents and take risks, Pant is the wildcard.
Final Words
The No. 4 spot for the 2027 ODI World Cup is Iyer’s to lose – but only if he can stay on the field. His numbers, his temperament, and his proven record in ICC events make him the ideal candidate. His recurring injuries, however, mean India cannot put all their eggs in one basket.
The team management must do two things immediately:
- Give Iyer a long, uninterrupted run at No. 4 in every ODI between now and the World Cup. No shuffling, no experiments. Let him own the position.
- Identify a clear second‑choice – preferably KL Rahul – and give him consistent game time at No. 4 as well, so there is no disruption if Iyer breaks down.
The 2019 disaster showed what happens when a team enters a World Cup without a settled No. 4. India cannot afford to repeat that mistake. The players are there. The blueprint is clear. Now it is up to the selectors and the team management to back one man and stick with him. If they do that, the middle order will not be a weakness in 2027. It will be a strength.
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