Former India coach Ravi Shastri revealed that he considered Virat Kohli for the No. 4 position during the 2019 ODI World Cup, aiming to address India's persistent batting concern in the middle order.
India were beaten by New Zealand in the semi-finals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the Men in Blue were plagued by the middle-order crisis, especially at No 4, during the entire tournament.
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The problem persists even now and it has grown even more complex with injuries to KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant.
What did Ravi Shashtri say about Virat Kohli at No. 4?
“If Virat has to bat at four, he will bat at four in the interest of the side. You know, there were times I thought of it,” Shastri said in a chat on Star Sports’ Selection Day show.
“Even in the previous two World Cups, when I was coach in 2019, I thought I might have discussed that with MSK as well of him batting at four just to break that top heavy line up.
"You know, because if we lost two or three at the top, we were gone and it was proved so just for reaching that experience. And if you look at Virat Kohli’s record, he is good enough at number four,” said Shastri.
What is Virat Kohli's record at No. 4?
Kohli boasts of having an incredible record at the No. 4 spot. The former India captain has scored 1767 runs at an average of 55.21 with seven hundreds batting at that position.
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What next for Virat Kohli?
Kohli is likely to be back in action in the upcoming 2023 Asia Cup where India will start their campaign against Pakistan on September 2.
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What next for Team India?
India have a squad touring Ireland for a T20I series, which starts on 18 August. Thereafter, preparations will turn to the Asia Cup.
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