Former India cricketer and popular commentator Aakash Chopra has questioned skipper Virat Kohli’s ploy to bat at No.4 during the 3rd T20I against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Kohli came out to bat at No.4 after Ishan Kishan but played a magical knock of 77 runs. However, it went in vain as the visitors chased down the target comprehensively.
Kohli, who smashed an unbeaten 49-ball 73 during India’s successful run-chase in the second T20I, demoted himself to the No.4 spot in order to accommodate Ishan Kishan at No.3 as Rohit Sharma made his way back in the playing 11 after resting in the first couple of matches. The move, however, backfired as the likes of Rohit, KL Rahul and Kishan failed to trouble the scorers, leaving Virat Kohli with all the scoring to do.
Why Virat Kohli batted at No.4? – Aakash Chopra
Reacting to the same, Aakash Chopra lauded Virat Kohli for his breathtaking knock during the 3rd T20I and hailed for pacing the innings beautifully. However, what left Chopra bemused was Kohli batting at No.4 instead of his usual slot which is one drop.
”That was a masterclass and that’s what you expect from Virat Kohli. He knows how to pace the innings. I think the first 20-25 odd balls, he had scored 20 odd runs, less than a run-a-ball because wickets were falling at the other end. That was the need of the hour,” Aakash Chopra told Star Sports.
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“But when he wants to up the ante, he can, because he has got all the shots in the book. He was at his dominating best. And you know what is good with Virat Kohli is that if he gets one big score, he will follow it up with another, he will get another if he gets another opportunity,” he added.
“But there is one issue, if you are the captain and you’re in that kind of form, the best position for you is that No. 3. Why are you batting at No. 4? Of course, that problem is their own making,” Aakash Chopra said.
Speaking further, Aakash Chopra highlighted that India is resorting to a lot of chopping and changes which is hurting the team combinations. As far as their batting-order is concerned, something he feels that the Virat Kohli-led team-management needs to sort out quickly.
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“You have got Ishan Kishan right at the top opening in one game and No. 3 in the next game, Virat Kohli had to go down to No. 4 which is not ideal. Too much up and down going on with India batting order” he said.
“Virat is showing it (how to deal with pace and bounce). He showed it the other day. But there is too much up and down with regards to the batting order. Shreyas, the man in form, was batting at 4 or 5, the other night, he was down to No. 6. Hardik is batting at No. 7, which is too low. These are concerns but they have to figure out something,” Aakash Chopra added.