India’s middle order in ODI cricket has been struggling with sub-standard strike rates, leading to poor returns since the 2019 World Cup. The confusion over who bats at No. 4 has been a chronic problem, and the inability to accelerate has been a major issue. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul, India’s designated No. 5, 6, and 7, have seen their strike rates decline.