Kohli could bat at number four in World Cup: Ravi Shastri

Team India coach Ravi Shastri has hinted that Indian skipper Virat Kohli could bat at number four depending on the situation. The Indian coach also wants more batting depth for the World Cup tournament.

Kohli could bat at four and Rayudu at three

While speaking with an online cricket portal, the Indian coach said that the good thing about this Indian top-three is we can separate them if conditions and situations demand.

He noted that someone like Virat Kohli can go to number four, and we can put a good number three to bring more balance to the batting line-up. He explained that for big tournaments like the World Cup, you have to be flexible to see what’s the best balance for the side. So he feels that they will decide that accordingly in England.

He mentioned that maybe Rayudu, or someone else, could bat at number three, and Kohli comes in at number four. He made it clear that they wouldn’t want to disturb the opening combination but according to him separating the top-three could make the batting stronger.

Don’t want to lose my best batsman early in a world cup match: Shastri

Shastri explained the reason behind this change in batting order by saying that you don’t want to be 18-3 or 16-4 in a big tournament. He stated that he doesn’t care about bilateral ODIs, but he feels why should he lose his best batsman early in a World Cup match if the conditions are bowler friendly.

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Pandya can come at seven or eight: Shastri

The India coach explained that the best ODI sides in the world have proper batsmen at numbers 5, 6, 7, 8. Look at the Indian team in 1983, or even in 1985. Then, look at the 2011 Indian team. He pointed out that you had Suresh Raina coming in at number seven, and he won you games

He added that with Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni and Raina at numbers 5, 6, 7, no side could relax. So he feels when you have Hardik Pandya coming in at number 7 or even at 8, the opposition cannot relax.