Virat Kohli clarifies his thoughts on the number four conundrum

Team India struggled for the better part of the last four years to find the perfect batsman at the number four and they finally found Ambati Rayudu last year. He smacked a lot of runs in Windies series and also in the Asia Cup after which many felt that the conundrum has solved with even the skipper Virat Kohli confirming his place in the World Cup. But there was a twist in the tale. Rayudu failed in Australia to raise the doubts.

Moreover, he was dropped for the decider and MS Dhoni scored 87* at the same position after which the experts picked the veteran as the best bet. However, the Indian captain has once again indirectly cleared that Rayudu is the man for them at four after the latter score a patient knock of 40* to take the team over the line in the 244-run chase against New Zealand in the third ODI at the Bay Oval.

We are more confident as a team

While speaking to the reporters after the match, Virat Kohli played down that, as a team, they don’t have a lot to worry about ahead of the World Cup now. He also went on to say that Ambati Rayudu’s performance in this series has given the team a lot of confidence which settles the issue more or less for the conundrum now.

“I think the last five games if you see, I said number four is still something we will look to solidify. But when Rayudu starts playing like that, you start feeling more confident about the batting line-up. Dinesh is in great form as well so he can step in at any time in case we need to shuffle the middle-order at any stage. MS is hitting the ball really well so everyone is in a good zone,” he said.

It was a relived Kohli at the press conference and he will take a much-needed rest now ahead of the home series against Australia.

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