No. 6 position: Who is the best choice?
No. 6 position is one of the key positions in Test cricket. Though it does not hold the same importance as the opening position, or the all important No. 3, it is still imperative for a team to have their best batsman batting at this position. The batsman who adores this position, has his task cut out, which is to accumulate runs in order to propel the score to the maximum. It is really a test of calibre and patience for the batsman. More often than not, he does not hold the luxury of having the company of front-line batsmen; instead, he has the tail-enders at the other end. As a result, this batting position becomes really challenging.
A good No. 6 batsman plays a dual role. He can amass runs in order to set up a commanding total and if required, he could also play a pivotal role in saving a Test match. You need to have one of your best batsmen at this position, as he needs to bat with lesser batsmen, which requires a great deal of patience and sensibility. He needs to garner most of the strike to keep the lower order batsman safe at the other end. At times, even preach them on how to play or to leave a ball in order to maximize the team’s total.
Laxman occupied this position for India. Batting at No. 6, he played a number of splendid knocks, which is an evidence of his class. As most No. 6 batsmen, he often had to bat with the lower-order batsmen. Still, he managed to contribute heavily, and was simply phenomenal to say the least. No doubt, he was class personified. His breathtaking cover drives would make people gaze in awe. Though VVS has played a number of exemplary innings while batting at this position, one, that would rank quite high would be his innings in the Mohali Test against the Aussies in 2010. India were 8 wickets down and were staring down the barrel, still needing 60 odd runs to win. VVS showed great calm and composure by stitching a partnership with Ishant Sharma and simply snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
After Ganguly’s retirement, Laxman had moved up the order to strengthen the middle order, thus vacating the No. 6 position. A number of players were tried at this position. First it was Yuvraj, then Raina and most recently, it was Kohli. Unfortunately, none of the players were able to fill in the big shoes of Laxman. Recently, India’s middle order got a major rejig, owing to sudden retirement of Dravid and Laxman. This had really left a gaping hole in the middle order. But the recent performance of the new middle order against the Kiwis seems to have sorted a number of queries related to batting positions except for the coveted No. 6. This really brings us to the question troubling the captain and the selectors.
Who is the best choice at No. 6?
There is a toss up between two extremely talented players: Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina.
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh last played a test match almost a year ago
Yuvraj has been in and out of the Test team, sometimes owing to his poor form and other times due to injuries. He never had a happy outing in Tests since his debut in 2003. Having featured in 37 Tests, he averages a meagre 34.80. Even though he has three Test centuries against his name, his Test career never got going. Yuvi had arrived onto the Test arena backed up by superb match-winning performances in ODIs. But somehow, he could not carry forward his ODI form into Tests. The England series might turn out to be a stepping stone in his beleaguered Test career. But as he is coming on after a long lay off, questions are bound to be raised about his match fitness. Though he has featured in the T20 WC, Test cricket is a different ball game altogether; it really tests your fitness levels. Five days of a gruelling encounter can sap all your energy. It has to be seen whether Yuvi is ready for this challenge. He has definitely shown positive signs by scoring a double ton full of brilliant strokeplay in a Duleep trophy match. He will have to prove his fitness for the longer version of the game before the 1st Test gets under way. Yuvi can be a real asset both with the bat and ball. His left arm spin has been more than effective. As we expect the Test matches to be played on rank turners, he can be really handy with the ball in his hand.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina had always been in blistering form in shorter format of the game. But like Yuvraj, he has not been able to replicate that performance in the Tests. He started off really well by scoring a ton on debut, but soon lost steam and his confidence. After featuring in 17 Tests, he averages a miserable 27.44. His problem with the short ball has been exploited by the opposition bowlers to the hilt. Whenever he comes in to bat, the opposition bowlers bombard him with a barrage of short balls, making his stay at the crease quite uncomfortable. As a result, he is awfully short of confidence when he is batting in Tests. He needs to raise his confidence in Tests and the coming England series might be the one. Couple of good knocks will do his confidence a lot of good. Moreover, on subcontinents pitches, it would much easier to cater to the short ball.
Both Yuvraj and Raina have what it takes to become a good number 6. They have the required technique to survive at this level.
Yuvraj is more experienced than Raina, but he has not played much of international cricket in the past one year, so questions might be raised over his fitness. Here, Raina might get a go ahead of Yuvi. He has featured in all the matches that India has played in the last couple of years. Definitely, he is one the most fittest players in the Indian team. Moreover, he batted at No. 6 in the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand. Hopefully, we will have a permanent No.6 by the end of the England series.