Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has been going through a prolonged lean patch in his career. The 2022 year has not quite been good for the veteran batter, who has struggled with his form throughout. He was not able to make much of an impact in the Indian Premier League, and also in the recently concluded India’s tour of England, in 2022. His form has raised quite a few questions regarding his spot in the Indian team.
Virat Kohli made just 341 runs in 16 matches and bagged three ducks in the Indian Premier League 2022 season. On the tour of England, he managed 76 runs across six innings across the three formats. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 around the corner, Virat Kohli’s form has become the biggest concern for the Indian team. Talks about replacing him in the T20I team have been floating around.
Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has expressed that the former Indian cricketer’s position cannot be taken by someone else. However, he agrees that India should be looking to groom youngsters for the number three position. Speaking on DD Sports during the pre-match show for ongoing the India-West Indies 2nd ODI, Rajkumar said,
“It is important. See, I don’t think anyone can replace Virat Kohli at no.3 for some time, but we will have to develop youngsters at that position. And I think there will be many experiments on that position too. It isn’t necessary that only Shreyas Iyer takes over that role.”
I think Shreyas Iyer’s best position would be no.4 or no.5: Rajkumar Sharma
Virat Kohli’s childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma further elaborated on why Shreyas Iyer suits best at the number four or five position. He highlighted Iyer’s struggle against short-pitch deliveries off late. The Indian cricketer was dismissed in similar fashions on the tour of England recently. Rajkumar Sharma added that Shreyas Iyer paces his innings well and can accelerate. The coach stated will Shreyas will be a better batter at the number four or five position.
“He is a suspect against genuine fast bowling sometimes, especially against short-pitched deliveries. He has been dismissed on many occasions for playing the short delivery in the past. I think his best position would be no.4 or no.5. He accelerates really well, and he paces his innings well. By the time he arrives in either of those positions, the ball wouldn’t be moving much and it is a high possibility he won’t be targeted straightaway. So, I think he can be a better batsman (in that role),” concluded Rajkumar Sharma.
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