Prasad advocates Ravi Shastri demoting Virat Kohli: The chief selector of the Indian team expressed happiness at the coach’s idea of demoting the captain.
After winning the ODI series 4-1 against New Zealand, India coach Ravi Shastri was vocal about a potential change in the Indian batting line-up during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
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The highlight of the interview was that Shastri had hinted to change the batting position of India captain Virat Kohli. Keeping the testing conditions in mind, Shastri highlighted flexibility behind doing the same.
There is no hiding to the fact that the suggestion strengthens India’s middle-order. However, it also means that the team management will have to tinker with the best Indian batsman’s batting position.
Prasad backs Shastri’s idea
In a recent interview with Times Now, chief selector MSK Prasad backed Shastri’s idea. Prasad also claimed the idea to be a wonderful thought.
“I think it is a wonderful thought that Virat Kohli can bat at No.4 and that is what Ravi Shastri has expressed. This has been happening for quite some time, but we will have to see. Because Virat has done extremely well at No.3. He is the No.1 batsman in the world,” Prasad was quoted as saying.
While Prasad meant it to be a decision to be taken as the world event comes close, he insisted that the same will be followed by the captain if it is for the requirement of the team.
“But if it is for the requirement of the team and Virat has to come at No.4 he will definitely do it. But again, we will have to see what the team requires and what the dynamics of the team is. That will decide his batting position,” Prasad concluded.
Out of his 214 ODI innings, Kohli has played 162 and 37 at No. 3 and 4 respectively. At three, he has scored 8,440 runs at an average of 62.98 and a strike rate of 93.72. At four, he has scored 1,744 runs at an average of 58.40 and a strike rate of 90.40.
