The poster boys of Indian cricket were always the top-three batsmen; but behind every meaningful title conquest has been a firing middle order. Kapil Dev’s “devils” had Yashpal Sharma and Sandeep Patil at four and five; MS Dhoni’s champions could slot anyone, from himself and Yuvraj Singh to Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli. Similarly, ending years of combustible middle-order combinations, India have found the ideal 4-5 tango in KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.
Since joining forces in the post-2019 World Cup rebuilding phase, a tournament where a flimsy middle-order hampered India, they have plundered 823 runs at an average of 64 in14 instances. One in every third association has produced more than 100 runs.
They are a fascinating study of contrasts, in attitude, temperament, approach and strokes. Shreyas seeks risks, he shifts between three different stands in a game, altering it to suit the conditions and bowlers. He counterpunches in a crisis, demoralises bowlers and is arguably the most ruthless destroyer of spin bowling, by using his feet and strong wrists to disrupt their lengths, in the world. His was the wicket Australia craved and planned the most in the 2023 World Cup final. He relishes clutch situations, which former India coach Rahul Dravid has dwelled on. “You just look at some of his knocks under pressure, how he’s able to actually bring the best out of himself under those pressure situations,” Dravid once reflected.
Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid. (FILE photo)
If Shreyas is a thrilling watch, Rahul is a compelling one. He has an equally rich repertoire of attacking strokes, but does it more classically. Their contrasting responses to a short ball captures the essence of the contrast. Shreyas slashes it, often in front of square, sometimes drags it to the leg-side. But Rahul cuts it fine, mostly through the first slip region. He approaches a collapse differently, conforming to the old-fashioned way of weathering the storm before accelerating. He brings adaptability, and could play the aggressor, accumulator, or the enforcer role. Since 2020, nobody has a higher average than his 61.72 at No 5 (a minimum of 20 innings). “I think it’s (batting at 5) really helped me understand my game a lot more, in terms of understanding my boundary-hitting range,” Rahul had said.
Both are expert field manipulators, versed in run accumulation. Both are exceptionally strong through the leg-side. Together, they bring a variety of skills that could confound most captains and bowlers. Their strengths are so varied that their opposition has to constantly alter the field. Bowlers have to revise lengths. The short ball could test Shreyas Iyer, but Rahul could fetch them to the fence. They are similar to Yuvraj (Rahul) and Raina (Shreyas) in many ways. They debunk the myth that a dangerous pair need not always be a left-right combination. They are utterly different batsmen to bowl at, and traversed different paths to reach their destination. Shreyas was always tipped to bat in the middle-order—55 of Shreyas’s 67 innings have come in the middle order. Rahul, an opener by trade, has yo-yoed up and down the order because the top-order was crowded.
Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina celebrating after won the World cup quarter final match against Australia in 2011. (Express photo by RAVI KANOJIA)
That contrast has allowed flexibility. If early wickets fall, Rahul can anchor while Shreya rebuilds momentum. If the top order provides a platform, Shreyas can press the accelerator while Rahul plays the role of stabiliser. Their complementary strike-rate patterns have often ensured India does not stall in the middle overs. Yet, they are not miles apart in their strike rate. Shreyas, obviously, has a better hitting rate (99.07) when batting from 4 to 7. Rahul has mustered 94.72. Shreyas hits every ninth ball he faces to the fence; Rahul does so every 11th ball.
Their importance to the cause of making India an ODI superpower cannot be emphasised more. They provide muscle and momentum, stability and speed or scoring. Style is just a pleasing bonus. They have been the centre that has held India together through top-order wobbles and Powerplay collapses. Among several instances of their double act, the 136 (101 balls) they stitched in Hamilton in 2020 stands out. On that occasion, they swapped roles. When they joined in the 29th over (the score at 156 for 3), the base was set. They steadily accelerated the speed of scoring and set the base for India’s 347 for 4). They stung again with a 100-run stand in the same stand. New Zealand, thus, would be aware of the havoc they could wreak this series. It might not always be 100-run stands, but one of 60 or 70 would suffice.
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Behind the all-out aggressive approach of Rohit Sharma and Co at the top is the guarantee Rahul and Shreyas offer. Once Hardik Pandya too returns, India’s top six could become an intimidating proposition that could land the World Cup that eluded them at home in 2023. They might not be the poster boys, but tournaments are won on the muscle and momentum they furnish, the control they exert in the middle and death overs.
