5 top-order batsmen in India who are genuine bowling options

Team India is in desperate need of depth in both departments of the game. Although India has good all-rounders such as Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, there is also the requirement for someone who can bowl in the top order. In this article, we take a look at five top-order batsmen in India who are genuine bowling options.

In the past, we had seen the likes of Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina consistently contribute with the ball. This added a lot of depth to the unit and also gave a lot of options to the skipper. However, in recent times, none of the top-order batters rolls their arm over. That said, it is high time that India starts investing in this kind of talent. We take a look at five names in this regard:

1) Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda is one of the top-order batsmen in India who is a genuine bowling option. The cricketer is already a part of the Indian Team but he is not getting opportunities to bat in the top order. Even with the ball, it was only recently against New Zealand that many took notice of his skills. Going forward, at least in the ODI format, the management must try integrating Deepak so that his bowling skills are also tapped.

2) Nitish Rana

Nitish Rana was in good form both with the bat and the ball in the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. For a top-order southpaw to have the capability to bowl good off-spin, Rana can be an asset if he comes good. At the moment, the chances for him look grim but if Rana can prove his bowling calibre even in IPL, he might get a few chances with India.

3) Baba Aparajith

Baba Aparajith is also one of the top-order batsmen in India who is a genuine bowling option. The Tamil Nadu cricketer has been doing well for a long time now in both departments of the game. However, he is yet to have that stunning season that forces the door open. For a batting all-rounder like Baba, opportunities in IPL are also needed to show his mettle. He will hope that he will get a contract for IPL 2023.

4) Abhishek Sharma

Abhishek Sharma is actually a genuine spin option and is also someone who bats in the top order. He is young and it is the right time to groom such cricketers. Last season in IPL, Abhishek hardly got to bowl. He will hope that the new skipper at SRH will place more confidence in his bowling.

5) Tilak Varma

Tilak Varma is slowly joining this list of top-order batsmen in India who are genuine bowling options. The Hyderabad cricketer is yet to have a match-winning bowling display but he is good enough to provide at least two overs of off-spin in a T20 game. This is massive if it is coming from a top-order batter, who is also a left-hander. India must look at this talent immediately for the team's benefit.