Virat Kohli again batted at no. 4 versus the Sri Lankan team in Ahmadabad. He had done the same in Cuttack where the opening match of the 5-match ODI series was played. However, his decision to demote himself there was understandable as the first wicket had fallen quite late and the team needed some quick runs at that point of time. So, to accelerate straightaway, he sent Suresh Raina in ahead of him.
But, in Ahmadabad, the scenario was different. India had lost Ajinkya Rahane inside the first 10 overs and the stability was needed. So, everybody thought Kohli would come at his usual position and control the game, but, that wasn’t the case to be. It’s Rayudu who walked in and ended up scoring a century.
As far as Kohli’s form is concerned, it’s alright now. He got a half century and then, a century against West Indies and his feet seem to be moving nicely on these Indian pitches. Then, why is he batting at 4? Is this the way the Indian team management wants the batting line up to be leading into the World Cup? Do they think that Kohli is better off batting at 4 in the Australian conditions?
On the last tour of Australia in 2012, Kohli had batted 3 in most of the One- dayers and had played some breathtaking innings. He had faced the new ball many a time during that series and there were no signs that he was impotent against new ball. Suddenly, by pushing him down the order just to protect him from the new ball, is the team management doing any good to his confidence? Remember, we are talking about a man who has 26 international hundreds under his belt.
