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Vikram Rathour, India’s batting coach, has disclosed the strategic rationale behind adjusting Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant’s batting roles in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, amid discussions about the former captain’s position in the lineup.
The batting coach emphasized that adjustments were made by the Indian cricket team management to optimize performance, considering player strengths and recent form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. India has advanced to the Super-8 stage of the tournament.
Virat Kohli’s struggles at the top of the order persist, contrasting sharply with Rishabh Pant’s flourishing form at No. 3 in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Kohli, typically positioned at No. 3, was pushed up to open following his standout IPL 2024 season, where he topped the batting charts with 741 runs, earning the Orange Cap. The Indian management reasoned that Kohli’s strong record against pace bowlers and exceptional form would bolster the team’s starts.
However, Kohli’s campaign in the T20 World Cup began poorly, managing just five runs across three innings, including a golden duck against the USA. In contrast, Rishabh Pant, though unfamiliar with the No. 3 role for India, was entrusted with the position to counter left-arm spinners, as per the team’s batting coach.
This strategy paid dividends as Pant accumulated 96 runs in his initial three innings, demonstrating his prowess against spin and providing crucial middle-order contributions during critical stages of the tournament’s group phase.
Team discussions highlighted recent player performances and their effectiveness against specific bowling types. Kohli’s IPL success as an opener made him a logical choice, yet the move has yet to yield the desired outcomes.
Conversely, Pant’s elevation to No. 3 was a tactical maneuver aimed at nullifying opposition left-arm spin threats. His aggressive approach and left-handed batting stance were viewed as advantageous in unsettling spin bowlers and generating scoring opportunities. This decision has proven to be a stroke of genius for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
Vikram Rathour delved into India’s batting strategy for the T20 World Cup 2024, underscoring the necessity of a flexible batting order adept at adjusting to diverse match scenarios and opponent tactics. According to Rathour, the team’s versatility enables them to make bold decisions, acknowledging that while such moves carry inherent risks, they also present substantial potential rewards.
Vikram Rathour said: “Our batting group has great versatility. After discussing with everyone, we concluded that Virat’s best batting position would be to open. He is great against fast bowlers and came out of an excellent IPL season. As a group, we wanted a left-hander at No. 3 because if an opposition side starts with a left-arm spinner, we would have an advantage, and in Rishabh Pant, we found a perfect player who could take up that role. He actually showed that in the last 2-3 matches.”
