For best results, Virat must bat at number 3: Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan has expressed that the batting sensation Virat Kohli must bat at his usual position 3.

Delhi: After Indian captain, Virat Kohli demoted himself in the batting order during the fourth ODI against Australia at Mohali and managed to score only seven runs, former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan has expressed that the batting sensation must bat at his usual position 3.

“In the last few games, we haven’t got the starts, which we used to. What if the same repeats in England conditions? How we are going to tackle it? Maybe the option is to play Virat Kohli at number 4 but I don’t agree with that. I think it is a negative kind of a move. It is a defensive move,” Zaheer said.

• Watched the @imVkohli Slap shot?
  
  A scoop behind the wicket for a boundary. Where did that shot come from?
  
  📹📹https://t.co/5Xemplc2uY #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/PYDGnhOWXU

  — BCCI (@BCCI) March 11, 2019 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Watched the @imVkohli Slap shot?
  
  A scoop behind the wicket for a boundary. Where did that shot come from?
  
  📹📹https://t.co/5Xemplc2uY #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/PYDGnhOWXU

  — BCCI (@BCCI) March 11, 2019

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  Watched the @imVkohli Slap shot?
  
  A scoop behind the wicket for a boundary. Where did that shot come from?
  
  📹📹https://t.co/5Xemplc2uY #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/PYDGnhOWXU

  — BCCI (@BCCI) March 11, 2019

Virat was demoted to number four to give chance to KL Rahul who is still auditioning for the 2019 World Cup. Even though India managed to score 358 runs, Rahul only scored 26 runs in that match.

Indian skipper Virat is ranked number one in ICC ODI rankings with 887 points. The 30-year-old has smashed two centuries in the ongoing ODI series against Australia.

While saying that the talisman batsman doesn't need any protection in batting order Zaheer said, “It is actually protecting your best batsman. Your number 3 batsman should be given enough opportunity and Kohli is well used to it. When you got that why changing the order. If Virat bats at number 4, I think it is not the right sign for India going forward."

However, Indian skipper who has batted outstandingly at almost every position he has batted in has an impressive record at number four as well. He has scored 1744 runs at an average of 58.13.

Virat has also smashed seven centuries batting at number four. He last batted at this position in 2015.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday India will try to win the decider at Delhi to win the series 3-2.