Former South African cricket superstar AB de Villiers has proposed that Virat Kohli might hold the solution to India’s quandary at the No. 4 batting position for the upcoming World Cup.
In a discussion on his YouTube channel ‘AB de Villiers 360’, the ex-IPL teammate of Kohli stated, “There’s ongoing speculation about who will fill the No. 4 slot for India. I’ve heard murmurs suggesting Virat (Kohli) could step into that role, and I would strongly endorse that idea.”
“I believe Virat is exceptionally well-suited for the No. 4 spot. He possesses the capability to construct an innings and adapt to various roles in the middle order. While we are aware of his fondness for the No. 3 position, where he has accumulated substantial runs, when the team necessitates a particular role to be fulfilled, you need to step up and embrace it.”
Following the recent return of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul to the squad after prolonged injuries, India’s middle order has become a topic of conversation ahead of both the Asia Cup and the World Cup.
During the announcement of India’s Asia Cup squad, Captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the significance of adaptability in the batting lineup, highlighting that players should be prepared to bat at any position.
Iyer, returning from a back surgery, seems the most probable candidate for the No. 4 role, although Kohli has previously enjoyed substantial success in that position.
While batting at No. 4, Kohli has amassed seven centuries, boasting an impressive average of 55.21 along with an equally noteworthy strike rate of 90.66. However, it’s worth noting that he hasn’t occupied that position since January 2020, when he faced Australia in Mumbai.
While Iyer’s promising performance at India’s Asia Cup training camp in Alur could potentially stabilize the middle order, concerns persist over KL Rahul’s fitness. He might miss a minimum of two matches in the Asia Cup, which commences on August 30th.
