'Virat Should Stay at His No. 3 Position Because…': AB De Villiers Shares His Thoughts on Kohli's Ideal Batting Position in T20s
What is Virat Kohli's ideal batting position in T20IS for Team India?
Virat Kohli’s former IPL teammate and a very close friend AB De Villiers believes that the star Indian batter should bat at the number 3 position in T20s. Team India will start their T20 World Cup campaign in ten days’ time and with Virat looking comfortable as an opener in the IPL, India might be tempted to open the innings with him alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.
JioCinema expert AB De Villiers reckons that despite of his recent heroics as an opener in IPL 2024, Virat should stay at his no. 3 position in future. “He’s been phenomenal but I still believe he’s a number three batsman,” AB De Villiers told News18 CricketNext in an exclusive conversation.
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‘He’s a No. 3 Batter’
“I’ve told him so myself. I’ve been saying it for many years. It doesn’t look like it’s going to happen because it really looks like he’s enjoying his time as an opening batsman and you’ve got to give him credit for that, for sticking to his guns and understanding his game,” De Villiers said.
The South African legend said that he would have batted Virat at no. 3 always if he had a say in those decisions. “He’s the guy that knows his ability and his game plan is the best. So long may that continue. But if I had the say and if it was like a TV game and I could move him around he would bat number three in my team,” the JioCinema expert said.
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‘Why No. 3?’
De Villiers believes that its Kohli’s middle overs batting that makes him a strong batter in that position. “I just feel he’s the best in the world when he’s just playing normal cricket, when he doesn’t feel like he’s got to take the bowlers on, where he’s got to hit the ball in the air. Between over six and 20 or seven and 20, I feel that’s where he’s the best in the world by a country mile,” the Protea said.
“There’s no one better than him to hit the ball into spaces, to read the game situation. I’ve been at the other end of the wicket witnessing that many times,” he added.
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‘Taking Too Much Risk’
The former RCB player is not a fan of Virat taking too many risks in the first three overs of the game. “What I don’t like is him taking too many risks in the first three overs. If he ends up getting out there, the middle order is under immense pressure because no one is as good and has such good glue as him in that middle over to keep the team together,” De Villers said.
“I know that he’s enjoying the opening spot but from a team point of view, if I had to say, he would bat in number three,” he added.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru fell short of yet another IPL trophy after Rajasthan Royals beat them in the Eliminator of IPL 2024 by 4 wickets in Ahmedabad. Virat Kohli, for the 16th consecutive time, failed to lift the IPL trophy.
The team may have failed to win the title but it was a season to remember for Kohli personally as he ended the season with 741 runs to his name, making him a strong contender for the orange cap in IPL 2024. The second best is CSK Ruturaj Gaikwad (583) who is already out of the tournament.
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