AB de Villiers wants Virat Kohli to change his batting position for upcoming major tournaments
Recently, former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri revealed that he wanted Kohli to bat at No. 4 in the 2019 World Cup.
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Aug 26, 2023 2:04 pm
AB de Villiers & Virat Kohli (Source: Twitter)
Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers believes Virat Kohli would be the ‘perfect’ choice for Team India at No. 4 in the upcoming major tournaments. His comments came after a serious conundrum in India’s middle order with injuries to key players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Although both regained fitness ahead of the 2023 Asia Cup and were named in the 18-man squad, de Villiers feels Kohli would be ideal for the mystery No. 4 spot.
Recently, former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri revealed that he wanted Kohli to bat at No. 4 in the 2019 World Cup to give balance to the side. He also suggested that Kohli can change his batting position in this World Cup as well if the team demands it. De Villiers agreed with Shastri’s suggestion, saying he can “put the innings together” and play “any kind of role” in the middle order.
“We’re still talking about who will be the No. 4 batter for India. I’ve heard some rumours about Virat possibly taking up that position. I would be a big supporter of that. I think Virat is perfect for No. 4. He can put the innings together, play any kind of role in that middle order,” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel ‘AB de Villiers 360′.
I don’t know if he would like to do that: de Villiers
Although Kohli has been the holder of the No. 3 spot in ODI cricket for years, his records while batting at No. 4 are also impressive, showing that he is flexible in any position in the middle order. The ace batter has played a total of 39 matches at number four, scoring 1767 runs at an average of 55.21 and a staggering strike rate of 90.66, including seven centuries. Notably, the right-hander came in at four in the 2011 World Cup, which India won after defeating Sri Lanka in the final. However, he last batted at number four three years ago in an ODI against Australia in Mumbai.
“I don’t know if he would like to do that. We know he loves his No. 3 position; he’s scored all his runs there, but at the end of the day, if the team needs you to do something, play a certain role, you have got to put your hand up and got for it,” the former Royal Challengers Bangalore star added.
