I don't think Rahul should've been promoted above Kohli: Sunil Gavaskar

It was a case of ‘so near yet so far’ for India at the Gabba last night. While the bowling failed to meet the expectations, even the fielding and batting wasn’t up to the mark for the visitors. Dropped catches, poor lengths from the bowlers and the star batsmen not pulling off their weight played a factor in India’s four-run loss in Brisbane.

For a moment, it seemed as if India will chase the target but all-rounder Marcus Stoinis managed to hold his nerves better in the last over. Former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar wasn’t pleased with Indian captain Virat Kohli walking in to bat at No 4. The other commentators also preferred to have Kohli bat at his designated position, i.e. No.3.

I don’t think Rahul should’ve been promoted above Kohli

One of the questionable moves in the game was KL Rahul slotted above Kohli in the batting order. The Karnataka batsman ended up scoring 13 (12) and even Kohli who came in at No 4 failed to capitalize later. Gavaskar asserted that it was a bad move to promote Rahul at Kohli’s position.

“I don’t think Kohli should have batted at No.4. In the first match of the tour, you want to bat on the position you generally bat on. It is only when you have won a series, you take such chances,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by HT.

I would want Kohli to bat up the order at No.3

The Indian skipper has attained considerable success batting at No. 3 in the limited-overs format and every team slots their best batsman there. Hence, the move was bound to raise eyebrows, especially once it failed. Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke also remarked that a batsman of Kohli’s caliber deserves to come much above the order.

“Virat Kohli is that batsman who can come in, take a few balls and bat till the end and win you games. I would want to see him bat up the order at No.3. He can even open but not go down the order.” Michael Clarke said in the post match show.

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