Sunil Gavaskar, Indian National Cricket Team, ICC World Cup 2019
Sunil Gavaskar. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar believes Virat Kohli can bat at number four according to conditions in England in the forthcoming ICC World Cup 2019. In fact, India’s head coach Ravi Shastri has also said that Virat Kohli can get a demotion in the batting order and can bat at the number four position according to the situations.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli is going to hold the key for the India National Cricket Team in the upcoming ODI showpiece. Kohli has been in fine form in the recent past and he is the best batsman in the world. Furthermore, Kohli has been instrumental in the success of the team and he would like to keep his dream form going.

India vs New Zealand 2019, Virat Kohli
Getty Images

Kohli can get a batting demotion.

“There needs to be flexibility. More the flexibility in the batting line-up, more beneficial to the team. Let’s look at what happened in the Champions Trophy final. Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Mohammed Aamir early. When Virat Kohli came out to bat, the ball was swinging quite a bit. Pakistan were pumped up after having put 300 on the board,” Gavaskar told Aaj Tak on Wednesday.

“In such situations, an important player like Virat Kohli needs protection. He can come in at No. 4. Maybe the ball may not move that much when the No. 4 batsman walks out to the middle. Such moves can be beneficial to the team”.

The Little Master believes if the conditions are conducive to seam bowling, then Virat Kohli can bat at number four position. Ambati Rayudu is currently batting at number four for the Indian team and he can swap positions with the Indian captain.

Read More  RCB vs KKR Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today’s IPL Match? IPL 2024, Match 10
Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma
Virat Kohli. (Credits – Getty)

Bat Kohli according to conditions.

“Yes, according to the conditions, flexibility is needed. If not, Virat Kohli is suited to batting at No. 3. In conditions that are conducive to swing bowling, India can afford to play Virat at No. 4.”

Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri has also spoken on the same lines. Shastri has put his weight to bat Virat Kohli at number four position. However, Kohli has achieved great success while batting at one down.

Shastri has mulled Kohli to bat at number four.

Ravi Shastri, India National Cricket Team
Ravi Shastri. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Shastri had said, “The good thing about this Indian top-three is we can separate them if conditions and situations demand. Someone like Virat Kohli can go to number four, and we can put a good number three to bring more balance to the batting line-up. That’s flexibility for you, and for big tournaments like the World Cup, you have to be flexible to see what’s the best balance for the side. So we will decide that (accordingly in England).

“Maybe Rayudu, or someone else, could bat at number three, and Kohli comes in at number four. We wouldn’t want to disturb the opening combination. Separating the top-three could make the batting stronger.”

It would be interesting to note India’s batting line-up. In fact, India’s top three batsmen Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli has done the bulk of the scoring. Thus, India will like their top order to be at the top of their game.

Read More  KKR Playing 11 vs RCB- IPL 2024, Match 10

Cricket is my first love. I want to be a wordsmith. I want to weave magic with my words.