T20 World Cup: AB De Villiers Advocates For Virat Kohli's Shift To No. 3 Position

Virat Kohli's recent performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 has ignited discussions about his role in the Indian team. With just 29 runs in four matches, many suggest he should bat at No. 3 instead of opening with Rohit Sharma.

AB de Villiers, Kohli's former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate, has also weighed in on the matter. De Villiers believes Kohli is best suited for the No. 3 spot. He argues that Kohli can adapt his game based on the situation, either playing aggressively or holding the innings together.

"I have always said please bat Virat at number three. Especially in better wickets that they will play now, Virat is the go-to guy at number three," De Villiers mentioned on his YouTube channel.

De Villiers emphasised that Kohli excels in the middle overs and can absorb pressure when needed.

"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 do not see any reasons (for opening)," he added.

As India aims to end their ICC trophy drought, De Villiers urged a more aggressive approach. He noted that India has been conservative in past World Cups and ICC events, which might have hindered their performance.

"Just make sure you throw the first punch," De Villiers advised. He believes that taking risks early in the game can help gain momentum, which is crucial for success.

"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," the South African explained.

Upcoming Matches

India's next challenge is against Australia in the Super 8s round of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday. Kohli has so far scored only 29 runs with an average of 7.25. The debate around Kohli's batting position continues, but his ability to adapt and perform under pressure remains undisputed.

Although Kohli struggled, India registered their fourth victory of the tournament as they beat Afghanistan in the first match of the Super Eights.