Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team, faced resistance from ex-players regarding his proposition to position Virat Kohli at No. 4 in ODIs, with reference to the challenging experience of Sachin Tendulkar in the 2007 World Cup. Shastri initially contemplated this idea in 2019 after discussions with then-chief selector MSK Prasad, leading up to the World Cup in England. Though the idea wasn’t executed then, it resurfaced recently as India prepares for the Asia Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, two cricket experts promptly dismissed Shastri’s suggestion by recalling Tendulkar’s struggles in the 2007 World Cup.
The 2007 World Cup stands as a notorious chapter in India’s cricket history, representing the team’s poorest performance in the tournament. Despite boasting stellar names like Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid (captain), Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni, and Harbhajan Singh, India experienced an unexpected early exit in the group stage after defeats against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
One of the primary factors attributed to this disappointing outcome was the baffling decision to reposition Tendulkar. The management broke the formidable opening partnership of Tendulkar and Ganguly, both in prime form with impressive records, by moving Tendulkar to No. 4. Unfortunately, this decision yielded poor results, as Tendulkar managed only 7 runs and a duck in two innings, contributing to India’s losses.
During a broadcast on Star Sports, Ravi Shastri’s proposition of pushing Kohli to No. 4 was discussed, prompting former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar to highlight the challenges of exploring alternatives like Ishan Kishan while inadvertently undermining Kohli’s position.
Manjrekar expressed his concern, stating, “The more and more you talk about other options like Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli seems to get relegated. He has sort of become the scapegoat in the sense that you bat him at No.4 and all your problems are solved.”
While former Australian cricketer Tom Moody endorsed Shastri’s idea, Manjrekar swiftly reminded him of the 2007 Sachin incident. Manjrekar left the ultimate decision to Kohli, suggesting that the iconic player should decide whether he wants to bat at No. 4 in what could potentially be his final World Cup appearance.
Manjrekar highlighted a cultural aspect of Indian cricket, recalling the contentious decision made during the 2007 World Cup when Tendulkar was shifted to No. 4 instead of his customary opening position. The cultural dynamics and historical precedence create uncertainty around implementing such changes for an iconic player like Kohli.
Another former India cricketer, Dodda Ganesh, echoed similar sentiments, dismissing the idea of moving the team’s best batter from his established position, especially in an event as significant as the World Cup. He referred to Tendulkar’s experience in the 2007 World Cup as a cautionary tale.
Sachin batted on no.4 in 99 WC as well if I am not wrong.
— Nirav Patel (@niravscope) August 21, 2023
As India prepares for the Asia Cup, commencing on August 30, cricket enthusiasts await insights into the team’s strategies, which could provide clues about Kohli’s potential batting position, including options like Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, or Shreyas Iyer.
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