Axar batted at number five in the Auckland and Wellington ODIs, with four right-handers at the top. India may want a left-hander in the middle order to break up that sequence. Tilak, therefore, could be in contention.

In T20Is, Tilak has shown he can rotate the strike under pressure before accelerating. He demonstrated that in the Asian Games final, where he consolidated before attacking. He also showed those qualities in his maiden ODI fifty against South Africa in Paarl in 2023. Coming in at 102/3, he took time to settle before scoring 52 off 77 balls and helping Sanju Samson build a match-defining partnership. The innings offered a glimpse of the qualities Rahul has brought to India’s middle order.

However, his slow start in the 50-over format remains a concern. In the India A ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka in June, he took time to settle into his innings. While his left-handedness is an advantage, India will want to see if he can keep the scoreboard moving when he comes in during the middle overs.

Ruturaj brings a different skill set. Though usually a top-order batsman, his record at number four gives India reason to consider him in the middle order. He has scored 214 runs in five innings there, averaging 71.33, with a century and a fifty.

Gaikwad or not?

Gaikwad has filled in at that position when Iyer has been unavailable over the last 12 months. With Iyer back, Gaikwad could be considered to bat at five. However, there is still a question over whether he can consistently up the scoring rate once he gets set in an ODI.

The roles at numbers six and seven offer another challenge. Dhir is likely to be considered for the finisher’s role. He has limited ODI experience, with 47 runs in six matches, but showed his attacking ability at Wellington, scoring 30 off 21 balls at number seven to take the pressure off Rahul. In that role, he may have to attack from the start; at number six, he may have more time to settle.

Axar’s position also needs thought. His record at number seven offers some encouragement: 346 runs in 22 innings, at an average of 21.62 and a strike rate of 95.31. His value is not limited to the runs he scores; he is one of India’s key spin options in the middle overs. But he batted at five in the first two ODIs, and India must consider how a move to six or seven might affect his batting.

One possible combination is Ruturaj at five, Tilak at six and Axar at seven. It gives India a batsman capable of building an innings at five, a left-hander at six and an all-rounder at seven. Dhir could come in Tilak or Axar if India want more attacking power. Leaving Axar out would reduce their bowling options, while leaving Tilak out would mean losing the left-handed presence they may want in the middle.

Another option is to play Tilak at five, Dhir at six and Axar at seven. This would give India a left-hander higher up the order and allow Dhir time to settle before attacking. However, leaving Ruturaj out would mean losing a batsman who has shown he can provide stability.

The two combinations offer different strengths. Ruturaj would provide greater stability in the middle order, while Dhir would give India another attacking option at the end. The choice is between having an additional batsman who can build an innings and one who can provide a late flourish.

The numbers alone do not settle the selection question. India need a batsman who can absorb pressure and rebuild in Rahul’s absence, a left-hander who can break up the right-handed sequence and someone who can finish strongly. The challenge for Iyer and the management is to find a combination that covers all three areas. These two ODIs at Mount Maunganui offer a chance to assess how the four players fit into those roles.

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Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored 214 runs in five innings at number four, averaging 71.33, with a century and a fifty.