New Delhi [India], March 12 (ANI): After securing back-to-back victories in both limited-overs formats with wins at the T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Team India—still stinging from their defeat against Australia in the final of the 2023 World Cup—is once more sitting atop the rankings. Highly motivated and brimming with confidence as they progress toward the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, India has finally addressed one of its most significant hurdles in white-ball cricket: The instability and inconsistency within its middle order that had previously prevented them from adding trophies to their collection.
Throughout the 2010s, India’s prowess in limited-overs cricket relied heavily on the stellar performances of two major icons: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Opening batsmen like Shikhar Dhawan, known as ‘Mr ICC’ for India, followed by the dynamic player Shubman Gill, nicknamed the ‘Prince,’ formed an aggressive opening pair that synergized seamlessly with Rohit and Virat. Whether it was Rohit striking first or Gill taking over, one of these players usually delivered early runs. Should both fail, Virat stood ready to protect India from potential threats. In more recent times though, finding suitable middle-order successors for previous legends such as captain MS Dhoni, along with key contributors Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, became challenging. These veterans had maintained India’s edge through a distinctive blend of composure and intensity against adversaries.
Whenever this renowned trio struggled with consistency, there was typically nowhere for Team India to hide since even though their opening batsmen performed well, they were still vulnerable against elite bowling lineups. This scenario occurred numerous times prior to the 2023 World Cup in India, where these seasoned players faced periodic drops in performance. In search of solutions, India experimented with various alternatives such as Kedar Jadhav, Ambati Rayudu, Vijay Shankar, Manish Pandey, the promising youngster Rishabh Pant, and Hardik Pandya; however, none could meet the high standards and pressures associated with major ICC tournaments.
Monitoring India’s middle-order performance throughout their World Cup defense starting in 2015 up until now reveals that during the 2020s, there has been significant stabilization within the Indian batting lineup. Key contributors such as Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have become reliable scorers, while players like Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav have taken on roles designed for explosive hitting from the outset. This newfound stability and clear definition of each player’s responsibilities has provided much-needed consistency to the team’s middle order, which may lead to securing numerous championships in the future.
Between the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, India’s middle order faced challenges because of their lack of experience, as well as issues stemming from aging stars and resulting fluctuations in performance.
*2015 ICC Cricket World Cup
In the 2015 World Cup, the strong performances from Shikhar (scoring 412 runs across eight games including two tons and one fifty), Rohit (accumulating 330 runs over eight innings with one hundred and two fifties), and Virat (notching up 305 runs in eight appearances along with one century) contributed significantly. Together they amassed 1,068 runs in 24 innings at an impressive average of 48.54 and a strike rate of 90.27, featuring four centuries and three half-centuries during this tournament.
In comparison to others, the middle-order batsmen comprising Suresh Raina (accumulating 284 runs across six matches along with one hundred and two half-centuries), MS Dhoni (scoring 237 runs in six outings including two fifties), Ajinkya Rahane (notching up 208 runs over seven games accompanied by a single fifty), and Ravindra Jadeja (contributing 57 runs within five appearances) combined for a collective tally of 786 runs at an average of 41.36, maintaining a strike rate of 98.12. These players collectively achieved one century and five fifties throughout their 24 innings played.
However, apart from Raina’s half-centuries against Pakistan and Bangladesh during the quarterfinals, as well as Dhoni’s valiant fifty in the semifinal versus Australia, the middle order struggled to make significant impacts in crucial games. The unit faltered notably when facing Australia in the semis, highlighting their inability to reach their full potential.
*2017 ICC Champions Trophy
During the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, India pinned its hopes on two experienced match winners: an incoming Yuvraj and Dhoni, who were both in their mid-30s to early 40s. Additionally, two younger players, Hardik and Kedar, received call-ups to join the team roster.
India once again reached the finals of the Champions Trophy, thanks mainly to the formidable performance of the Rohit-Shikhar-Virat trio, who amassed 900 runs across 15 innings. They maintained an impressive average of 81.81, a strike rate of 95.44, scored two centuries, and achieved seven half-centuries. In this tournament, Shikhar led as the highest run-scorer with 338 runs from five games, including one century and two fifties; Rohit followed closely behind with 304 runs also over five matches, featuring one century and two fifties. Meanwhile, Virat contributed significantly with 258 runs in five matches, securing three consecutive half-centuries.
Nonetheless, the middle order faltered yet again, particularly during the highly anticipated match against Pakistan in the final when chasing 339 runs, where only Hardik’s valiant knock of 76 stood out. Across eleven innings, the middle order managed to score a total of 311 runs at an average of 38.87, maintaining a strike rate of 112.68 and securing merely three half-centuries. Notable contributors included: Hardik who amassed 105 runs across three games including one fifty; Yuvraj scoring 105 runs over four outings also with a single fifty; and Dhoni contributing 67 runs in his two appearances along with a fifty. Meanwhile, Jadhav accumulated 34 runs from two chances, posting his highest score as 25* not outs.
*2019 ICC Cricket World Cup
In the 2019 Cricket World Cup held in the UK, consistency in the middle order remained elusive as various players such as KL Rahul, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Rishabh Pant, and Dinesh Karthick were tested but did not provide stability. Meanwhile, the opening pair consisting of Shikhar Dhawan (who scored 125 runs across two games before withdrawing injured after hitting one ton), along with Rohit Sharma’s remarkable tally of 648 runs from nine encounters including five tons and a half-century, formed part of an outstanding effort alongside Virat Kohli (accumulating 443 runs over nine matches featuring five half-centuries) and KL Rahul (notching up 324 runs spread over seven outings highlighted by a hundred and two fifties). Collectively, these four batsmen amassed 1,540 runs in just 27 at-bats, maintaining an impressive average of 61.60, striking at a pace of 91.72, racking up seven hundreds and eight half-centuries between them.
In comparison, the middle order managed only 790 runs across 31 innings, resulting in a diminished batting average of 35.90 and a somewhat improved strike rate of 91.75. The middle-order batsmen produced just three half-centuries: two by Dhoni (scoring 273 runs in eight innings with two fifties), and one by Kedar (accumulating 80 runs in five innings including a fifty). Meanwhile, Hardik showcased his powerful hitting skills, scoring an impressive 226 runs in nine innings at an average of 32.28, maintaining a strike rate above 112, with his highest score reaching 48. In contrast, KL contributed merely 37 runs in two innings during his stint as a middle-order batter, whereas Vijay accumulated only 58 runs when playing fourth and sixth in the lineup. At age 21, Pant was still adapting to limited-overs cricket; he notched up 116 runs in four games averaging 29.00, peaking with a top-score of 48.
*2023 ICC Cricket World Cup
The era of struggle for the Indian middle order concluded during Rohit’s leadership, with Iyer and Rahul emerging as key contributors. During the 2023 World Cup, India’s opening batsmen set a strong pace early on. Under Rohit’s guidance, he amassed 597 runs in 11 innings including one century and three half-centuries; Virat contributed significantly with 765 runs across 11 games featuring three tons and six fifties; Shubman Gill added 354 runs in nine appearances through four fifty-plus scores; Ishan Kishan managed 47 runs in just two outings. Collectively, they produced spectacular performances totaling 1,763 runs in 33 chances—averaging more than 60 per knock—with a strike rate exceeding 103, along with achieving four hundreds and 13 half-centuries between them.
Ultimately, the middle order played its part flawlessly, scoring 1,219 runs in 34 innings with an average of 53.00, maintaining a strike rate above 101, along with three centuries and five half-centuries. Iyer and Rahul formed the core of this successful middle order, contributing (468 runs in 11 innings at an average of 66.25, striking at over 113, including two tons and three fifties) and (452 runs in 10 innings averaging 75.33, hitting at over 90, adding one ton and two fifties). Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja provided support with 120 runs in five innings at an average of 40.00, while Suryakumar added valuable contributions with 106 runs in seven innings at an average of 17.66. The only blemish was their performance in the final; otherwise, these statistics would appear even stronger.
*2025 ICC Champions Trophy
In the Champions Trophy, India put forth their finest overall display yet, with key players excelling throughout the knockout rounds. The middle order, bolstered by Axar’s effective spin bowling, amassed 591 runs across 18 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 42.21, along with a strike rate of 85.77 and two half-centuries. Shreyas (scoring 243 runs in five innings with two fifties), KL Rahul (accumulating 140 runs in four innings at an unbeaten average of 140.00), Axar (notching up 109 runs in five innings averaging 27.25), and Hardik (gaining 99 runs in four matches at an average of 24.75) adapted flawlessly to each situation they faced during the tournament.
When contrasted with the middle order, the opening pair consisting of Rohit Sharma (scoring 180 runs in five matches including one half-century and maintaining a strike rate of 100.00), Shubman Gill (accumulating 188 runs across five innings along with one century and having a strike rate of 75.50), and Virat Kohli (amassing 218 runs over five innings comprising one century and one fifty while keeping a strike rate of 82.88) collectively tallied up to 586 runs at an average of 45.07 alongside a strike rate of 84.68. This group also managed two centuries and two half-centuries between them.
Currently, in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy, the Indian middle-order has shed its reliance on the top order and now boasts a distinct sense of reliability and self-identity. Statistics clearly show an unprecedented level of consistency, with most experimental strategies proving successful. It remains to be seen whether this resilient middle-order will lead India to triumph in the 2027 ODI World Cup and establish itself as the best ever. (ANI)
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