Kohli in me, myself and I dilemma ahead of ODI series opener

Virat Kohli the skipper is in a dilemma about Virat Kohli the batsman. With less than 24 hours to go for the ODI series opener at Trent Bridge, skipper Virat is still unsure about his best batsman in the playing XI --- if its Kohli himself or the man in red-hot for, KL Rahul. Depending on this, Virat is expected to arrive at a decision if he will continue walking in at No.3 or surrender it once again --- like in the just-concluded T20s against Ireland and England ---to Rahul for the sake of finding the right balance.

Virat Kohli the skipper is in a dilemma about Virat Kohli the batsman. With less than 24 hours to go for the ODI series opener at Trent Bridge, skipper Virat is still unsure about his best batsman in the playing XI --- if its Kohli himself or the man in red-hot for, KL Rahul. Depending on this, Virat is expected to arrive at a decision if he will continue walking in at No.3 or surrender it once again --- like in the just-concluded T20s against Ireland and England ---to Rahul for the sake of finding the right balance.

The stats will also play an important role in helping Virat arrive at the batting order. Kohli’s average at No.3 is a whopping 61.43 in 149 matches, which is 71% of his career.

Kohli’s astounding stats at No.3 notwithstanding, there are compelling reasons to send Rahul at No.4 either, who has a highest score of 17 at that position.

Going by India’s current batting line-up, which has too many players vouching for the same slot, Kohli’s sliding down to No.4 may not be such a bad option. No.4 is not at all alien to Kohli. In fact, his average of 58, batting in No.4 is the same with his career average.

Past perfect

In India’s last England tour, Kohli had sacrificed the No.3 slot for Ambati Rayudu and he continued the same formula in the following Sri Lanka tour, with various degrees of success.  

The current situation is quite similar with Rahul being the No.3 instead of Rayudu. In fact, it is more obvious than last time. In Rayudu’s case, it was more to give him the wings to fly rather than a team-need. Rayudu was doing fine in the middle order, which is not the case with Rahul. The idea of trying Rahul at No.4 had fell face first in Sri Lanka, last year. The Karnataka talisman’s batting style is tailor-made for the opening position, at worst No. 3 but not below that.

Besides, Kohli batting at No.4 will soothe India’s Achilles’ heel. India has tried seven different players in KL Rahul, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Shreyas Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane, and none have been able to convince the team management or the fans of their ability in that position.

The Indian team management decided to keep their cards close to the chest and didn’t reveal too much about the batting order or the exact combination of bowlers. Come Thursday, all eyes will be on the playing XI, and perhaps much more on who walks in at the fall of first Indian wicket.