New Delhi:
With less than four months for the most prestigious event to start, the teams are working regressively with the full fortitude to not keep even a single box unturned. For India, the squad looks pretty much in space with both bowlers and batsmen in prime form. However, there are still a few areas to be seen, one of them turns out to be if skipper Virat Kohli can bat at number four.
Since the very statement from Indian head coach Ravi Shastri, the idea of playing batting sensation Virat Kohli at the debatable No.4 slot has caused quite a stir. While most are of the notion that the formidable top-three of the Indian batting line up should not be separated, former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that Kohli can bat at number four if the situation demands.
He went on saying that if India loses their openers early, India can protect Virat for number four and the likes of Ambati Rayudu or some other can be exposed for the number three spot.
Gavaskar, on Friday, opined that there is no need for the Indian think tank to protect a batsman of the stature of Kohli, but added that if a situation arises where India have lost the openers early on in a big run chase then the "best batsman in the world" can be protected and sent at No.4.
"The best batsman in the world needs no protection in the batting order. But sometimes you have to assess the conditions. There could be a lot of swing and movement in the air in England... and if the opposition makes over 350 and India lose the first wicket early, then Kohli could be protected and sent at No.4.
"This is the very reason why it is really important for India to select its third opener who is technically sound. Because the ball swings and seams around in England. But if the conditions are not very different then Kohli should bat at No.3," Gavaskar told India Today.
Gavaskar believes that India can build that number three spot for someone till the World Cup, which eventually can provide more solidarity in the batting line up.
"The good thing about this Indian top-three is we can separate them if conditions and situations demand. Someone like Virat Kohli can go to number four, and we can put a good number three to bring more balance to the batting line-up. That's flexibility for you, and for big tournaments like the World Cup, you have to be flexible to see what's the best balance for the side. So we will decide that (accordingly in England).
