AB de Villiers recommends batting position change for Virat Kohli amidst T20 WC struggles

De Villiers also expressed confidence in India's potential to break their trophy drought

PHOTO: AFP

AB de Villiers, the former South African batsman, has suggested a change in Virat Kohli's batting position following the his struggles in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Kohli, has faced setbacks in recent matches against Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA, scoring only one, four, and zero runs respectively. While opinions vary on whether Kohli should continue opening the innings, de Villiers advocates for a shift in his batting order.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers emphasized Kohli's prowess in the middle overs, asserting that he should bat at No. 3, especially on the expected better pitches in the Caribbean. According to de Villiers, Kohli's ability to switch between aggressive and defensive play makes him India's key player in the middle phase of matches.

"I have always said please bat Virat at No. 3. Especially in better wickets that they will play now, Virat is the go-to guy at No. 3. He can play the attacking game and also pull back and absorb the pressure if necessary. He is the best player in the world in the middle overs. I don't see any reasons [for opening]," de Villiers said.

De Villiers also expressed confidence in India's potential to break their trophy drought, highlighting their strong team composition. He encouraged the Indian team to adopt a more assertive approach from the outset of matches, suggesting that their quality and depth can capitalize on early momentum to secure victories in major tournaments.

"Just make sure you throw the first punch. In the past World Cups, I think they have been a bit conservative, sort of feeling their way into a game. They are such a quality team that I feel they can take a bit of a risk early in the game to get the momentum because there is no looking back once they get the momentum," he further added.

India's quest for an ICC trophy has extended since 2013, with their recent near-miss at the ODI World Cup 2023, where they were defeated by Travis Head's heroics in the final held in Ahmedabad.