According to Kaif, Kohli should occupy the number three spot, with Rishabh Pant opening alongside Indian skipper Rohit Sharma.
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In a video posted on X’, Kaif stated, “I believe Virat Kohli should bat at number three.
He has been opening in these seaming conditions where batting is not easy, unlike the flat pitches in the IPL. He plays excellently and aggressively, but perhaps here, he shouldn’t play aggressively; maybe he should play to save his wicket.”
Justifying that Kohli would be able to play his natural game at number three, Kaif further explained, “At number three, Virat Kohli will play his natural game. He will have time to settle and analyze the game. Scoring 50-60 runs would be great for him. His stats at this position in previous World Cups are impressive. If Rishabh Pant can move from number five to number three, then he can also open from number three. You will get a left-right combination, with Kohli at number three and Suryakumar Yadav at number four.”
Kohli’s difficulties were evident in India’s Group A match against the United States, where India-born USA bowler Saurabh Netravalkar dismissed Kohli for a golden duck.
The left-arm seamer bowled a full-length delivery that angled away from Kohli, who edged it to wicket-keeper Andries Gous. This was Kohli’s first golden duck in T20 World Cups and his second in the shortest format, concluding a disappointing run of matches where he scored 1, 4, and 0.
Despite Kohli’s struggles, India advanced to the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket victory over the United States. Suryakumar Yadav’s half-century and Arshdeep Singh‘s four-wicket haul were crucial in India securing their third straight win.
