Virat Kohli Vs Rohit Sharma: Who Should Bat At Number 4 In Pink-Ball Test?

Virat Kohli Vs Rohit Sharma for number 4 spot [Source: @Tarun113344/X.Com]

If India are to win the Test series against Australia, both the stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will need to have a stellar series. While Kohli started off in style with a scintillating ton in Perth, Rohit Sharma missed the Perth game, but will make his return for the Adelaide Test.

Interestingly, the Adelaide Test will be a Pink-ball affair, and the last time India played at this venue, they got humbled and were bundled out for a mere 36 runs in the day-night contest. To prepare for the upcoming challenge, Team India played a Pink-ball match Vs Prime Minister's XI and came out on top.

In that match, eyebrows were raised when Kohli didn't came out to bat and instead, Rohit walked in at number 4, a position where Kohli usually plays. So, will Rohit bat at number 4 in the Pink-ball Adelaide game? what do the numbers say? let us decode.

Virat Kohli stats at number 4 position

King Kohli, as they say has stellar numbers batting at 4. In 153 innings, he has racked up 7479 runs, and the average is well beyond 50. Plus, he has scored 26 centuries which showcases that he truly was Sachin Tendulkar's heir at number 4.

Rohit Sharma stats at number 4 position

The Indian skipper has only played a solitary innings at the number 4 spot and has only scored 4 runs. With just a solitary match at this position, there isn't much to derive from the stats.

Virat Kohli Vs Rohit Sharma: Stats in Pink-Ball Tests

The data clearly shows Kohli's supremacy in Pink-ball Test. He is the first and the only player to score a ton in day-night match and also played a brilliant 74 run knock in the Adelaide Test in 2020.

Similarly, despite playing a game less than Kohli, Rohit has 173 runs, and also has a match-winning fifty against England in the 2021 Ahmedabad Test. However, barring that, the Indian skipper hasn't scored anything significant.

Virat Kohli Vs Rohit Sharma: Who is better against moving ball?

Virat Kohli, despite being touted as having a weak technique as of late is still India's best batter in day-night matches. However, his chinks in the armour is that nowadays, he tends to chase at fuller length balls, which could lead to his wicket in the day-night match.

Rohit, on the other hand is more of a back-foot player and unlike Kohli plays the ball one second late, which allows him to play the ball closer to the body. Against moving ball, this is a better technique.

Conclusion

In terms of technique against the moving ball, Rohit edges Kohli, but the former skipper has been India's best batter in Pink-ball matches and his credibility and stats at number 4 speaks for themselves. While Kohli will continue to bat at number 4, don't be surprised if Rohit decides to come at number 5, to get that extra time to find his old form back.

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