In the first Test against New Zealand, batting first Team India could merely score a 46 in their first innings on the second day. The side has to make drastic changes in their XI as Shubman Gill was ruled out with an injury. Virat Kohli came up to number three and Sarfaraz Khan replaced Kohli at number four, where he usually batted. Unfortunately, this sartorial experiment didn’t quite come off well, with both Kohli and Sarfaraz departing without a single run made.
Why Did Virat Kohli Bat At No.3?
At the post-match press conference, Rohit Sharma explained that Kohli had agreed to bat at No 3, a position he hadn’t occupied for eight years. On this occasion, the gamble went wrong as Kohli lost out for a duck after facing just nine balls from William O’Rourke.
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Rohit stated that Kohli was asked to play at number 3 for just stabilizing the batting order. While KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan were scoring runs at their respective places, the team wanted the momentum to continue till that stage, leaving more or less everything for Kohli to get it through. But, contrary to common perception, Kohli has actually failed on this particular position. With just 97 runs under his name in six matches, he averages a pathetic 16.16. The top score of 41 runs for this position was recorded against Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in 2013.
“Yes, he (Rahul) is a local boy. So he has to bat at 3? (laughs). After a long time, KL Rahul has found a spot at No. 6. We want to make him bat there. The experienced players are the ones who have to take up more responsibility. This time, it was Virat. He was the one who was ready to do that,” Rohit said in the press conference after the day’s play.
“We asked him whether he could bat at No. 3. Sarfaraz, we also wanted to give him the position that he usually bats — 4, 5 and 6. We didn’t want to change Rishabh and KL. Hence, Sarfaraz went at No. 4 and Virat batted at No. 3. It’s a good sign. Players coming up and taking responsibility and owning up the challenge. It’s a good sign,” Rohit said.
Struggles Continue For Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s wicket in the 1st session of first Test against New Zealand marked his 38th international duck.
Virat Kohli’s Test struggles have deepened as in the last five-Tests he has registered a scores of 0, 29, 47, 17, 6. These have proven that India’s stalwart has been struggling with poor form.
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In Tests Virat Kohli has scored 8947 runs in 115 matches at an average of 48.89. This includes 29 centuries and 30 half-centuries.
