ICC World Cup 2023: AB de Villiers Feels Virat Kohli is Answer to Team India's Number 4 Conundrum

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South Africa great AB de Villiers has suggested his former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate Virat Kohli as the perfect answer for India's No.4 conundrum heading into the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

Team India has struggled to find a suitable number four ever since Yuvraj Singh retired from international cricket. They have tried many players in the role with none really making the slot their own.

Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who are returning from injuries, have done well when played at the role, but since their injury earlier this year the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson and even Axar Patel have been tried in the role.

Samson did well in his limited opportunity, but the rest have struggled. With the 50-over World Cup less than two months away, there has been a lot of discussion around who will bat at the spot.

Although Iyer and Rahul are back in the side, and Tilak Varma can be deployed in the middle order, De Villiers feels Kohli should play at number four as he can put the innings together and play any kind of role in the middle order.

"We're still talking about who will be the No. 4 batter for India. I've heard some rumours about Virat possibly taking up that position. I would be a big supporter of that," de Villiers said on his Youtube channel.

"I think Virat is perfect for No. 4. He can put the innings together, play any kind of role in that middle order. I don't know if he would like to do that."

De Villiers understands Kohli loves batting at number three, but feels if the team needs you there then one's got put their hands up to bat where required in the order.

"We know he loves his No. 3 position; he's scored all his runs there, but at the end of the day, if the team needs you to do something, play a certain role, you have got to put your hand up and got for it," De Villiers added.

While Kohli prefers to bat one down, he has a decent record coming in at No. 4. In 39 innings, he has scored 1,767 runs at an average of 55.21 and strike rate of 90.66.

However, it has been over three years since Kohli batted in the No. 4 position in January 2020 when he played against Australia in Mumbai. So, it's very likely India will go back to a player used in the role earlier this year.

Iyer is the mostly likely player to take the role and will be part of the 17-member Asia Cup squad. Iyer has done 20 matches at No. 4, scoring 805 runs at 47.35 with two centuries and five fifties. He now has the chance to reclaim the spot at the Asia Cup 2023, scheduled to start from August 30.

(With PTI inputs)