T20 World Cup 2024 | "I feel he's a number three batsman": De Villiers on Kohli

Virat Kohli had a great campaign as an opener in the IPL 2024 but hell exteammate AB de Villiers feels that Kohli should bat at number three in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024In the IPL 2024 Kohli has amassed 708 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore at a 150plus strike rate shutting the critics who questioned his intent against spinners in the middle overs earlier in the tournamentRohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal make a perfect leftyrighty combination for the T20 World Cup 2024 But to accommodate Suryakumar Yadav at number three Kohli could be asked to open at the expense of Jaiswal in the ICC event beginning June 1However De Villiers feels the former India captains opening is not a good idea I feel hes a number three batsman and thats where hes most impactful Hes almost like the captain of the batting team everywhere he goes He keeps the calmness and the composure within the batting unit the South African great told PTI in a select media interaction arranged by JioCinema on WednesdayI know Virat himself really enjoys opening which is great Youve got to respect that from a man whos played the game for many years He understands his game really well and he understands what he wants out of the game as wellBut if I was playing a TV game Xbox he would come in at number three in my team I feel theres too much risk in those first couple of overs to go and ask Virat to take the game on to hit the ball in the air All I want him to do is to bat between overs 4 and 1617 somewhere thereAlso ReadIPL 2024 RCB vs RR Aveshs threewicket haul restricts Bengaluru to 172 runsI feel thats where hes best in the world by a country mile and thats where hes most impactful he assertedFor someone who has played for years with Kohli knows how the stalwart deals with the criticism Indian great Sunil Gavaskar was among the one who raised questions on Kohlis approach in the initial stages of the IPL 2024Yeah I enjoyed that he said when asked about the constant debate over Kohlis strike rate over the course of the seasonI thought it was really bad for someone like that for a hero and a role model of the country to get so much criticism around that But the way I know him I just knew and thats exactly what I mentioned on my show I said guys you have no idea what happens to this guy when he catches criticismThe many years Ive played against him I used to tell the players in the team room you do not say one word to Virat on the pitch because he will come out and he will score a big 100 if you try and chirp himSo maybe it was a blessing in disguise getting a bit of criticism because stuff like that motivates him so much And maybe someone should come out just before this game tonight and say something bad to him Im praying for that he said ahead of the Eliminator against Rajasthan RoyalsHaving a disappointing start in the IPL 2024 RCB made a solid comeback with six consecutive victories to seal the playoff berthWhen the team is down and out a player like Kohli can play a huge role in lifting the spirits and that is exactly what he did said De Villiers There was never a drop in Kohlis intensity even when the team was losing game after gameIt just shows the kind of care that he has for the team and the desire to ultimately go and win a trophy And when youre down and out like that with one out of eight wins to still see that as a teammate from a teammates point of view to see that in one of your senior players whos achieved everything in cricket I mean hes one of the greats of all timeAnd you see someone like that and celebrating on the field after weve done just one out of eight Thats got to be incredibly motivational inspirational to say the leastAnd I think he played a huge role in lifting that team and getting them back on track purely by his attitude and by his fielding prowess and the way he threw himself around on the field the runouts he got the celebrations the tapping on the shoulders of some of the young players and celebrating other peoples success That ultimately is a selfless act he addedWith PTI Inputs