Top 5 Indian batsmen who came in at No. 4 in Test cricket

In Test matches, the player who comes in at No. 4 occupies one of the most important positions. The openers lay the foundation, but it is usually the No. 4 who is tasked with preserving wickets and scoring the bulk of the runs. If a couple of wickets fall early, he has to bring all his defensive expertise into play. Some situations might demand attacking play from him and, more often than not, the best No. 4 batsmen can do both without much trouble.

India has produced some of the finest batsmen in the world. Here is a look at five of the very best to have batted in this position over the years.

#5 Vijay Hazare

Hazare: a power performer

He might have played in only 30 Test matches over a period of six years, but Vijay Hazare is one of India's truly great batsmen. He batted at No. 4 in 35 out of his 52 Test innings and scored 5 100s (overall 7) along with 7 half-centuries (overall 9), at an outstanding average of 54.10.

One of Hazare's biggest attributes was that he delivered when the Indian team had their backs against the wall. The 145 he scored in Adelaide against Australia in 1948 is a case in point.

Hazare also briefly held the record for the highest Test score by an Indian when he scored 164* against England in Mumbai in 1951. 

​