I think Virat Kohli is perfect for No 4: AB de Villiers | Cricket News
AB de Villiers has weighed down on the debate on Virat Kohli’s batting position in the upcoming Asia Cup and ODI World Cup.
Couple of weeks earlier, Team India coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that he considered using Virat Kohli at No 4 in the 2019 ODI World Cup and said if needed he can do that in this World Cup as well.
De Villiers agrees with former Team India coach Ravi Shastri and says Kohli’s ability to “put the innings together” would make him the “perfect fit.”
Where does VIRAT bat in the Asia Cup? | 360 Show S02E07
I’m back from Mexico, and honestly rather jet-lagged. But nevertheless, I’ve got a show for you this week, where we’re looking at the Asia Cup squads, whether Kohli can bat at no.4, Dewald Brevis – aka ‘Ba AB’, and much… pic.twitter.com/AqAW1fXWUc
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 25, 2023
“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,” de Villiers said on his Youtube channel ‘AB de Villiers 360.
“I think Virat is perfect for No. 4. He can put the innings together, play any kind of role in that middle order.
“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.”
Seven of Virat’s 46 ODI hundred have come at No 4. In 39 innings, he has scored 1767 runs at an average of 55.21 and strike rate of 90.66. However, he last batted there over three years ago, in an ODI against Australia in Mumbai.
With KL Rahul set to miss a couple of matches in the Asia Cup and to fit Ishan Kishan in top three, there are chances that Kohli might drop down to No 4.
However, Rohit Sharma during the Asia Cup squad selection has made it clear that Virat would bat at No 3.
“One thing I need in this team is everyone ready to bat anywhere. That’s one thing we need to keep in mind and it is critical for Team India, not just this format but any format. Cricket is moving in a different direction. No one should say I am good at this position and that position,” Rohit had said.Most Read
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“Guys should be able to bat anywhere. That message has been conveyed to every individual, not now but for the last two, three or four years. It hasn’t happened overnight.”
“Not like we go off to sleep at night telling a batter a position and next morning we change that position. It doesn’t happen like that. It’s clearly communicated that this is where we want you to bat in the tournament, wherever the team requires you to bat.
“You don’t want to be handicapped or stuck with one player batting at one position only. Of course we want players to bat in certain positions but we want the top eight to be ready and that is the message that has gone to everyone in the team. We have told them to be flexible.”
