Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer got a half-century in his comeback game in the second ODI against West Indies. Coming in at No. 5 after Rishabh Pant, the way he built his innings gave a feeling of how he could be suitable for the No. 4 spot. Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan too believes that Iyer should bat at No. 4 and Pant later which will allow the left-hander to play his natural game.

Zaheer said at the post-match podcast for Cricbuzz, “Virat at the toss had already said that there is some flexibility regarding the number four spot. And it has been a trend of the past couple of years, if someone has played a good innings at a different number, he has been promoted. So Shreyas Iyer I think will naturally get that promotion to the number four position which will work better for Rishabh Pant in due course.”

Iyer scored 71 runs off 68 balls including just five boundaries and a six. He gave an impression of a batsman who is naturally able to build his innings without needing to hit some big shots. Such a batsman would be ideal for the No. 4 spot. The left-handed Rishabh Pant is an aggressive player who likes to play the T20 format. He would be handier at a lower position.

The 40-year-old said, “In T20 formats, you have seen the kind of power he has. His impact comes with that power and if he is batting at number five, it kind of helps in a natural scenario, of a T20 simulation of sorts. At that stage with 15-16 overs to go or 20 overs to go, he can have that natural instinct going.”

“You’ve seen Rishabh Pant when he was looking to build that innings, he was looking a bit confused of sorts. He likes to be aggressive but because he is in that situation he is trying to prove otherwise. He is moving away from his natural style of play and looking to collect those singles, doubles,” he added.