The job of a number four batsman becomes tougher with the decreasing length of formats, making it the most challenging role in T20 cricket. However, we have seen some terrific performers at number four in T20s over the years, especially in the Indian T20 League.
Since the 2016 edition of the Indian T20 League, a total of 80 batsmen have batted at number four. However, only 16 of them have scored 200 or more runs.
We will analyse how those 16 players have scored their runs at this position and how they stack up against each other in terms of quality.
Rishabh Pant head and shoulders above others
The Delhi southpaw has had his struggles at the international level for India. However, no other batsman has been as prolific a run-scorer the last few Indian T20 League seasons.
Since 2016, Pant has scored the highest number of runs at number four. His tally of 989 runs has come at a strike-rate of 165.11, the best among these 16 batsmen, and his RpI (runs per innings) of 38.04 hasn't been bettered by anyone in this category either.
Not only that, Pant has the most number of 30+ scores to his name as well, and his rate of scoring boundaries (BpB) of 4.25 is the best among all these players as well.
AB de Villiers excellent as usual
The South African batsman has been the second-most effective batsman at number four during this period. His strike-rate of 161.45 and RpI of 29.60 makes him an excellent asset to have at this position.
In terms of runs, de Villiers is the sixth-best during this period, having amassed 444 runs in a total of 15 innings. He has scored a boundary every 4.51 deliveries while scoring these runs and that is once again the second-best figure among these 16 batsmen.
The job of a number four batsman becomes tougher with the decreasing length of formats, making it the most challenging role in T20 cricket. However, we have seen some terrific performers at number four in T20s over the years, especially in the Indian T20 League (Indian T20 League).
Since the 2016 edition of the Indian T20 League, a total of 80 batsmen have batted at number four. However, only 16 of them have scored 200 or more runs.
Read | Most effective Indian T20 League openers since 2016
We will analyse how those 16 players have scored their runs at this position and how they stack up against each other in terms of quality.
Maxwell a fierce striker but lacks consistency
Glenn Maxwell is one of the most dangerous T20 batters in world cricket but his returns at number four in the Indian T20 League since 2016 hasn't done justice to his potential. Although he has the second-best strike-rate (164.34) among these players, his RpI of 19.58 is the second-lowest. He has had 12 outings at this position since 2016 but amassed just 235 runs.
Manoj Tiwary a reliable accumulator but a slow scorer
The Bengal batsman's RpI of 34.17 is the second-best here but it has been because of his poor strike-rate of 121.30 that he has gone unsold in recent auctions. He played only six innings at this position between 2017 and 2018, amassing a total of 205 runs. That included two fifties as well.
Shreyas Iyer a steady player
The Delhi skipper has been a rock at this position for his team in the last few seasons. Iyer has majorly played the anchoring role and his returns read 321 runs in 11 innings at an RpI of 29.18 and a decent strike-rate of just a shade under 130. He is the glue that holds his team together.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Michael Bradley
