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Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri recently shed light on his tactical considerations for Virat Kohli during the 2019 World Cup. While Kohli has predominantly secured the number three spot in ODI cricket, Shastri divulged that there was contemplation about moving the talismanic batter to number four, to break the team's top-heavy batting order.
Virat Kohli's cricketing prowess at the No.4 position isn't an unfamiliar narrative. The star cricketer, revered for his dominant gameplay, has previously played at this spot during the 2011 World Cup, which India clinched. Kohli's statistics while batting at No.4 are a testament to his versatility. From the 39 matches in which he stepped up at this position, he's garnered 1767 runs, boasting an impressive record of seven centuries and eight half-centuries, averaging 55.21.
Shastri, while analysing India's roster for the World Cup on the 'Selection Day' show aired on Star Sports, elucidated on his vision for a dynamic top four. He asserted that Kohli would readily shift to the fourth spot for the betterment of the team.
"If Virat has to bat at four, he will bat at four in the interest of the side. There were times I thought of it. Even in the previous two World Cups, when I was coach in 2019, I might have discussed that with MSK of him batting at four just to break that top-heavy line up," Shastri shared.
Emphasising Kohli's adaptability, Shastri added, "Because if we lost two or three at the top, we were gone. And if you look at Virat Kohli's record, he is good enough at number four."
While Kohli's batting position remains a topic of interest for World Cup 2023, Shastri's comments have once again brought to the forefront the strategic dimensions underpinning the decisions of the Indian cricket team. As the ODI World Cup 2023 approaches, the cricket fraternity awaits to see how the dynamics unfold on the pitch.
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