Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that ace cricketer Virat Kohli shouldn’t bat at No. 4 in the line-up despite having a good record at that position. Aakash Chopra said that Virat Kohli is better suited to the No. 3 position as he can tackle the new balls well.
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The Rohit Sharma-led team is plagued by injuries to the middle-order batters. Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul returned to the national team after an injury layoff. However, Rahul is unavailable for selection for the first two games in the upcoming Asia Cup due to a niggle.
Virat Kohli’s Success At No. 4 Is Good, But At No. 3 It’s Exceptional – Aakash Chopra
Speaking on the AakashVani show on JioCinema, Aakash Chopra emphasized that Virat Kohli could be more effective when he bats at No. 3, given his ability against new balls and finishing skills.
“There are two parameters to judge this. First, Virat Kohli’s success at No. 4 is good, but at No. 3 it’s exceptional. A significant sample size reinforces this and his peak equals India’s best,” Chopra told Jio Cinema.
“Hopes rest on his tournament performance – if he does well, India benefits; otherwise, a middle-order gap looms. Kohli’s effectiveness shines at No. 3, tackling new balls and closing games. Retaining this is vital,” he added.
“Just because he has the ability to bat at No. 4 shouldn’t mean that he should play there,” he further added.
Kohli scored 10,777 runs in 210 innings at an average of 60.21 while batting at No. 3 in the 50-over format. His record is equally impressive at No. 4 in ODIs, where he has amassed 1767 runs from 39 innings with an average of 55.22.
Ishan Kishan’s Placement Becomes Key – Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator suggested that Sanju Samson, who is a travelling reserve, should take over KL Rahul’s role in the lineup as a wicketkeeper and middle-order batter.
“If KL Rahul is unavailable, Ishan Kishan’s placement becomes key. Sanju Samson can also replace him as a travel reserve – I am assuming without Rahul, Sanju Samson can enter the team.”
“Given a No. 5 batter is needed, selection should be based on that specific condition. Samson, a middle-order batsman and keeper, should be the backup,” he concluded.
The absence of KL Rahul could lead the team management to include Ishan Kishan as the wicketkeeper in the playing XI. Ishan scored three fifties in the recent ODI series against the West Indies as an opener, which prompted them to consider including him in the top order.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: “Any Bowler Who Sledges Virat Kohli Will Have To Pay The Price” – Makhaya Ntini Warns Bowlers
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