Sports News

Indian middle-order lets go of top-order dependency, finds stability, consistency as 2027 ODI WC awaits

Mar 12, 2025

Since 2010s, India's white-ball success has been dependent on the heroics of its biggest superstars, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Openers Shikhar Dhawan, the 'Mr ICC' for India and later, the 'Prince' Shubman Gill served as highly-attacking openers that would complement Rohit and Virat well. If Rohit did not get them, Gill did. If Gill did not get them, Rohit did. If Rohit-Gill failed, it was Virat's safety net that guarded India from danger. However, in recent years, India found itself struggling to find new middle-order replacements for its former stars, skipper MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, three men who kept India steps ahead of their opponents with a rare mix of calm and aggression.