India’s batting order for 2019 World Cup: Going into the world event, the Indian Head Coach laid emphasis on flexibility.
India Head Coach Ravi Shastri dropped a bombshell when he hinted at India captain Virat Kohli could be demoted down the order at No. 4 during the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Going by his form, Kohli’s batting spot would be the last in the Indian batting line-up when it comes to tinkering with the same.
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In a recent interview with Cricbuzz, Shastri laid emphasis on flexibility when he said that even Kohli could be moved to No. 4 depending on the conditions. It all happened when the coach was asked about India’s formidable top-order going into the World Cup.
“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],” Shastri was quoted as saying.
A sans-Kohli Indian top-order was found wanting in swinging conditions in the last two ODIs against New Zealand. Perhaps, Shastri’s remarks were an upshot of what had happened at Hamilton and Wellington. While he didn’t want to disturb the opening pair, he sounded fine to tinker with the captain’s batting position.
“Yes [protecting Kohli against the new ball in English conditions], maybe Rayudu, or someone else, could bat at number three, and Kohli comes in at number four. We wouldn’t want to disturb the opening combination. Separating the top-three could make the batting stronger.
“But we will assess that on seeing conditions there in England. You don’t want to be 18-3 or 16-4 in a big tournament. I don’t care about bilateral ODIs, but why should I lose my best batsman early in a World Cup match?” he asked.
