ICC World Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri Reveals Consideration For Virat Kohli To Bat At Number Four For Team India In 2019 ODI World Cup
Published - 16 Aug 2023, 12:35 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:17 AM
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recently revealed that the team management had considered placing Virat Kohli at the No. 4 during the 2019 ODI World Cup. Ravi Shastri said that they aimed to balance the batting lineup, given the top-heavy side that included Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
Before the 2019 World Cup, India experimented with 10 different batsmen in the No. 4 position over 49 matches since August 2017. Ambati Rayudu was backed by the team management for a substantial period. However, Rayudu was dropped from the squad and replaced by all-rounder Vijay Shankar.
Virat Kohli Is Good Enough At Number Four – Ravi Shastri
Speaking on Star Sports’ Selection Day show, Ravi Shastri emphasized that the team’s struggles were evident when the top order failed to perform.
“If Virat has to bat at four, he will bat at four in the interest of the side. You know, there were times I thought of it. Even in the previous two World Cups, when I was coach in 2019, I thought I might have discussed that with MSK [Prasad] as well of him batting at four just to break that top heavy line up.
“You know, because if we lost two or three at the top, we were gone and it was proved so. Just for that experience… And if you look at Virat Kohli’s record, he is good enough at number four,” said Shastri.
Virat Kohli batted at his usual No. 3 position throughout the World Cup, accumulating 443 runs in nine innings with an impressive average of 55.38 and a strike rate of 94.06.
India Suffered Setback In Semi-Final Against New Zealand
Virat Kohli captained Team India during the 2019 ODI World Cup held in England. The Indian team excelled in the group stage, finishing atop the 10-team points table with seven wins out of their matches in the tournament. They suffered a single loss, and one match ended without a result.
However, the 2011 champions suffered a setback in the semifinal as they lost to New Zealand by 18 runs in Manchester. The Indian batters failed to chase down the target of 240 runs in a knockout game. India’s top-order batters were dismissed for 1 run each, collapsing 5/3 in the fourth over.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Ravi Shastri Backs Tilak Varma’s WC Selection; Calls For 3 Left-handers In Top 7
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 ICC World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team Ravi Shastri Virat Kohli
