"Virat Kohli is the go-to guy at No. 3," AB de Villiers advises Indian team management ahead of Super 8 round at ICC T20 World Cup 2024

While opening the batting, Virat Kohli scored only 5 runs in three games in the group stage.

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has strongly advised Team India to bat Virat Kohli at his usual position in T20Is, which is the No. 3 slot. This suggestion from de Villiers has come after the 35-year-old India star had a disastrous start to his ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

Kohli registered scores of 1, 4 and 0 in the group-stage matches. Twice he was out while trying to attack the bowler. This has sparked up a huge debate among the fans and former cricketers: whether Kohli should continue to bat in an attacking manner and play risky shots, or should he rein back and revert to his usual anchor role.

Before this tournament, Kohli had opened in T20Is for India only once. India opted to have Kohli open with Rohit Sharma, while Yashasvi Jaiswal was benched, to accommodate Shivam Dube in the middle order.

However, Kohli’s long-time Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate AB de Villiers believes that the India star is better suited to bat at number 3 in international cricket.

I do not see any reason for Virat Kohli to open: AB de Villiers

De Villiers pointed out that Kohli has both the attacking and the absorbing game, and that he can bat according to the demand of the situation.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers said, “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. 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 reason (for opening).”

India will play their first Super 8 match on Thursday against Afghanistan in Barbados.

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