In a surprising revelation, former India head coach Ravi Shastri unveiled that he had contemplated a game-changing strategy during the 2019 ODI World Cup that would have seen the prolific Virat Kohli step down the batting order to the crucial No.4 position. Shastri’s strategic insight came to light as he engaged in a discussion about the current ODI team’s batting lineup.
Where should Kohli bat in the World Cup?
Virat Kohli, widely hailed as one of the finest No.3 batters in ODIs, has been anchoring India’s batting lineup from this pivotal spot for over a decade. With an impressive average of 60 when batting at No.3 and a remarkable 39 out of his 46 centuries achieved in this position, Kohli’s contributions are undeniable. However, Shastri believes that for the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, an unconventional rearrangement might be in order.
The catalyst for this proposition is Ishan Kishan, a rising star and a player who has shown immense promise as both a keeper and an opener. Shastri’s audacious suggestion is to accommodate Kishan at the top of the order, which would entail certain adjustments by the seasoned trio of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli.
Shastri, known for his astute cricketing acumen, pointed out that Rohit Sharma’s wealth of experience makes him versatile enough to excel at any position within the top four. However, he recognized that it might not be as seamless for Shubman Gill to adapt to a middle-order role. This strategic dance of adjustments led Shastri to propose the unthinkable – Virat Kohli slotting in at No.4.
Shastri suggests changing Rohit Sharma’s batting order as well
“Ishan Kishan should bat right at the top of the order. Rohit as a captain is vastly experienced. He can go in at three. He can go at four. This is where you have to see the player’s frame of mind. How will Shubman Gill feel if asked to bat No.3 or No.4 as opposed to batting at the top? No one owns a position. If Virat has to bat at four, he will bat at four for the team,” Shastri passionately voiced his perspective on Star Sports.
Interestingly, Shastri confided that this tactical maneuver wasn’t merely a whimsical idea but had crossed his mind during his tenure as the head coach during the last World Cup in England. “There were times when I thought of it even in the previous two World Cups. I might have discussed that with MSK (Prasad) of him batting at four, just to break that top-heavy line-up. If we lost two or three at the top, we were gone. And it was proved so, just for breaking that, you need experience,” Shastri explained.
MSK Prasad, the former India keeper-batter and the chairman of selectors during that period, corroborated Shastri’s revelation. Kohli’s preferred No.3 slot was never displaced, and his statistical prowess in this position remained intact.
Shastri backs his claim with stats
The Indian team’s vulnerability in the middle order was exposed during the semifinal clash against New Zealand, where the Kiwi bowlers capitalized on India’s top-order collapse. This event underscored the urgency of bolstering India’s middle-order capabilities.
Delving into the stats, Shastri remarked, “If you look at Virat Kohli’s record at No.4, it’s quite good.” Indeed, Kohli’s numbers at this position are commendable, with an average of 55 in the 39 matches he has batted at No.4, accompanied by seven centuries. Notably, this is the sole batting position aside from No.3 where Kohli has managed to notch an ODI century.
Shastri further emphasized the need for evolution in Kohli’s game, referencing cricket luminaries such as Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith. The game, as Shastri pointed out, has undergone significant changes, and players of Kohli’s stature must adapt to new trends and innovations. “You’ve got to evolve with the game no matter how big a player you are,” Shastri urged, accentuating the essence of growth and adaptability.
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