IND vs SA: Explained - Two ways how struggling Virat Kohli can get to bat at No.3 in T20 World Cup 2024 final?

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IND vs SA: India are all set to go against South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday, June 27.

All but Virat Kohli's rare failure in an ICC event, looks sorted in the Indian dressing room. The superstar batter has managed to score just 75 runs in seven matches of the T20 World Cup 2024. His average of 10.71 as an opener has left many worried.

The Indian team management has backed Kohli through his struggle in the USA and the Caribbean. After qualifying for the final, captain Rohit Sharma expressed belief in his senior batter, saying that he has saved his best knock for the final. Head coach Rahul Dravid was also seen consoling Kohli after he got out for nine runs against England.

However, they also will have to acknowledge that the idea to play Virat Kohli as an opener has failed. Allowing Kohli to open was being considered the best possible way for Kohli to feature in the playing eleven.

"This is not his game. He is going too early for it, especially with Rohit Sharma playing aggressively at the other end. He can make up quite easily once he spends a little more time at the crease. He is more orthodox. And he is going to play in that fashion. When he tries to get out of his zone. He will get out in that fashion," Ravi Shastri told Star Sports after Kohli's failure against England.

After seven games it's quite clear that Kohli should instead have continued batting at three. The pitches in the West Indies could have suited Kohli's style of play while batting at number three.

The old role of number three batter to read the conditions and build the innings before loosening up for the free-flowing shots could have actually strengthened the India batting unit.

Regardless qualified for the final unbeaten and are now looking to execute the final act with perfection. Can Virat Kohli be sent to his original No.3 batting position? If yes, then how?

Chances of India making final moment changes is highly unlikely. But there are definite two ways of accommodating Virat Kohli back at number three position in the final of T20 World Cup 2024. Let's have a look.

Open with Rishabh Pant: Rishabh Pant has been batting at three for India in the T20 World Cup 2024. He succeeded in the role in India's first two games against Ireland (36*) and Pakistan (42), but have since registered scores of 18, 20, 36, 15 and 4.

Virat Kohli's poor form has seen him getting out three times before the completion of second over, and five times before the end of the third over. Pant has walked in early, and him coming out to open with Rohit would not make a huge difference.

Also, India can have the advantage of left-hand, right-hand opening combination if they opt to open with Rohit and Pant. This can be one way of sending Kohli back to his favourite number three spot in the India batting order.

Open with Sanju Samson: Shivam Dube's form is in question. Not many are in favour of having him in the India playing eleven specially if he is not contributing with the ball.

His footwork is under huge scrutiny. He was found stuck in his crease as he got out for a golden duck at a crucial juncture in the India vs England semi-final on Thursday in Guyana.

Sanju Samson was in a great form in the IPL 2024, but hasn't yet got a game. He is a far more technically superior batter than Shivam Dube. He also has enough muscle power to send the ball flying over the boundary ropes. Samson is equally good against spin and pace, and his biggest positive is that he can be used as a floater.

Samson has opened twice for India since 2022 and scored 77 runs off 42 balls against Ireland on one occasion. The Rajasthan Royals captain has also opened for in IPL games.

In case Samson is sent to open, Virat Kohli can come out to bat at three, and Pant at five - position more familiar to the wicketkeeper-batter.