• Home
  • Who Said What
  • Wanted Virat Kohli To Bat At No4 In 2019 World Cup Ravi Shastris Big Revelation

'Wanted Virat Kohli To Bat at No.4 in 2019 World Cup'- Ravi Shastri's Big Revelation

image-lld7sla8Kohli led India in the 2019 WC [Twitter]

One of India's most reliable and modern-day legends, Virat Kohli remains the cornerstone of any batting line-up and is guaranteed the No.3 position in ODIs. However, former India all-rounder and coach Ravi Shastri has revealed that during ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, thoughts about asking Kohli to bat at No.4 did creep into his mind.

Kohli's record at No.4 is not bad in ODIs, as he has scored 1,767 runs with seven tons and eight fifties in 39 matches. Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri explained that he wanted the former captain to come one position down to make India's top-heavy batting more flexible. 

Interestingly, Kohli played at No.4 in India's World Cup-winning campaign in 2011 under MS Dhoni. 


Here's what Shastri said

"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. 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 the experience. And if you look at Virat Kohli's record, he is good enough at number four."

Kohli, who was leading India in CWC 2019, finished the competition with 443 runs and five fifties.