Sunil Gavaskar has supported Ravi Shastri’s proposal to have Virat Kohli bat in the fourth position. Gavaskar, aged 74, emphasizes the need for the team management to adapt the batting order, particularly when the new ball is favoring the bowlers.
Gavaskar points out that the Indian team has frequently struggled against the new ball, highlighting that the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma and Kohli have been the main factors contributing to the team’s defeats.
For those unfamiliar, Kohli has participated in 39 One Day Internationals (ODIs) as the fourth-position batsman, accumulating 1767 runs with an average of 55.22, which encompasses seven centuries.
Nevertheless, his primary batting spot has traditionally been at third position, where he achieved the majority of his scoring—amassing 10,777 runs across 210 ODIs with an average of 60.21, which also comprises 39 centuries.
Gavaskar told India Today:
“(On batting order) Any team has to be flexible…but I don’t want to disturb the top order. I don’t think Rohit Sharma should be looking to bat down the order. Yes, you can look at having Kohli at No. 4, particularly, if a wicket falls early because the new ball can do some early damage.”
The cricketer-turned-commentator continued:
“Every time India has lost, I think it’s that the fact the new ball in the first 10-12 overs, India have lost three or four wickets, and both wickets out of these wickets have been Sharma and Kohli, who’ve been the victims, so it’s difficult. Maybe, look at it depending on the situation.”
Gavaskar emphasized that Rohit and Kohli, who occasionally bowl, wouldn’t be very effective with the ball. He thinks that all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will play a crucial role in India’s success in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup. He said:
“(On Rohit & Kohli bowling) If they had been bowling quite regularly, yes, it could be good, but when you look at the successful teams in limited-overs cricket that have gone on to win championships.”
“For India, you’ll find there have been full of all-rounders, batters who can bowl and bowlers down the order who’ve contributed when they get to bat about six or seven overs, they’ve contributed good runs.”
“So, yes, I think the all-rounders are gonna be the key, so it’s good to see Hardik Pandya in the team. He’s the kind of player who is a game-changer along with Ravindra Jadeja. These two guys are going to be the key.”
“I don’t think you should be too worried” –Sunil Gavaskar’s thoughts on India’s batting strength for the 2023 Asia Cup
Gavaskar disagreed with Coach Rahul Dravid’s view on batting depth. He highlighted that the main run contributors are the top order—Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli—plus all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.
Gavaskar said:
“(On batting depth) India has a tremendous batting lineup. You’ll probably find very very few occasions that No. 9 and 10 will be asked to bat because the top order is so good that I don’t think you should be too worried.”
He added:
“If you have somebody like Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja at 6 and 7, that’s excellent. These guys can be finishers as well, so I think it’s a very very good team. Kudos to the selection committee for what they have done.”
The 2023 Asia Cup will kick off for India with a match against traditional rivals Pakistan in Pallekale, Sri Lanka, on September 2nd.
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