Ravi Shastri Reveals Contemplating Virat Kohli’s No. 4 Spot in 2019 World Cup Lineup

Ravi Shastri Shares Insight on Considering Virat Kohli for No. 4 Spot in 2019 World Cup

Former India coach Ravi Shastri recently unveiled an intriguing strategy he contemplated during the 2019 ODI World Cup. Shastri revealed that he explored the idea of placing Virat Kohli in the No. 4 position to bring diversity to the batting lineup, which was heavily skewed towards the top order at that time.

Shastri pointed out that this strategic move aimed to add adaptability to the top four positions. He highlighted Kohli’s remarkable performance in the number four slot, where the star batsman accumulated an impressive 1767 runs with an average of 55.2.

“If Virat has to bat at four, he will bat at four in the interest of the side. You know, there were times I thought of it. Even in the previous two World Cups, when I was coach in 2019, I thought I might have discussed that with MSK [Prasad] as well of him batting at four just to break that top-heavy lineup,” Shastri revealed during a conversation on Star Sports’ Selection Day show.

Shastri elaborated, “Because if we lost two or three at the top, we were gone and it was proved so. Just for that experience… And if you look at Virat Kohli’s record, he is good enough at number four.”

The challenge of the number four position has persisted in Indian cricket, evident during the 2019 ODI World Cup. Since then, India has experimented with 11 players in the No. 4 position in ODIs.

With the upcoming Cricket World Cup approaching in less than two months, the discussion around the no. 4 spot has resurfaced. Injuries have posed difficulties for Team India in finding the right fit throughout the year, prompting them to explore various players for the role.