Vikram Rathour, India batting coach has revealed why skipper Virat Kohli batted at No. 4 positions in the 3rd T20I against England. Vikram Rathour explained that the team is focused on “experimenting” with their batting by shuffling the order before the forthcoming 2021 T20 World Cup, and the decision to demote Virat Kohli was a part of that process.
This experiment didn’t get a chance to be tested completely as India’s top-order crumbled against England’s pacers, prompting Virat Kohli to come out in just the 5th over. Virat Kohli played his part to perfection, though. From 46 balls, the 32-year-old smashed 8 fours and 4 sixes to score an unbeaten 77.
Vikram Rathour: India Is Just Experimenting With T20I World Cup Around The Corner
The masterclass innings went in vain as India failed to defend a total of 155 and lost by 8 wickets. In a press conference after the game, Vikram Rathour remarked that the recent changes in the batting order aren’t “long term” and could be changed during the World Cup.
“Nothing is long-term, we are just experimenting. I think this could be the last series and the last few T20 games before the World Cup. So we are just experimenting a little and trying few options. And we’ll see where Virat needs to bat. He’s somebody, with his experience, he can bat at any number. We will see during the World Cup where the team needs him to bat,” said Vikram Rahour.
Although Virat Kohli has batted for most of his international T20 career at one down at No. 3, he has also played at the No. 4 positions 14 times before this game. He has accumulated 422 runs at an average of 42.20, striking at 144.52 while batting in the position before scoring an unbeaten 77 at No. 4.
Vikram Rathour: Experimenting In The Remaining T20Is Might Haven’t Been Done By Team Management
Despite scoring 0, 1, 0 in his last three T20I matches for India prior to the England game on Tuesday, Virat Kohli and India persisted with KL Rahul. With Rohit Sharma returning, India opted to push Ishan Kishan at No. 3. This meant that Virat Kohli himself sacrificed his preferred spot and batted at No. 4 on Tuesday.
Vikram Rathour did not reveal whether India is planning to try even more things out in the future. He the team management is yet to have that discussion.
“That’s the discussion [about experimenting in the remaining games] I don’t think the team management has had so far. So we’ll see, we have a day to go to the match. I think the discussion will take place tomorrow and we’ll see what is that we need at this stage,” Vikram Rathour.
England is ahead in the 5 T20I series with a margin of 2-1. The 4th match will be played on March 18 at the same venue and at the same time.
Virat Kohli is the only player to score 3000 T20I runs so far. At No. 4, he has scored 499 runs averaging 49.9 in 15 innings. At No. 3 he has 2329 runs averaging 58.23 in 57 innings. He has amassed 3078 runs in 88 T20Is averaging 52.17. In the ongoing series, he averages 150 after scoring unbeaten 73 and 77 runs in consecutive matches after being dismissed without scoring in the opening T20I.
KL Rahul has not looked in any sort of rhythm whatsoever in the three T20Is against England so far managing scores of 1,0,0. Apart from him, Ishan Kishan (4), Rohit Sharma (15), Shreyas Iyer(9), Rishabh Pant(25), and Hardik Pandya(17) were dismissed without contributing much.
Mark Wood picked 3 wickets conceding 31 runs as India managed 156/6 with Virat Kohli top-scoring with an unbeaten 77 of 46 balls. Jos Buttler scored 52 balls 83 and remained unbeaten as England chased down the target in the 19th over.