ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Why Virat Kohli should bat at No. 3 in the mega event

When the 2019 World Cup comes around, all eyes over the globe will be on Virat Kohli. It is no doubt that the Indian captain will generate more eyeballs than any other player in the game's biggest competition. Be it the media, fans or his own team, the expectations from Kohli are going to be at an all-time high.

The cricketing fraternity will expect runs to flow from Kohli's bat as the competition to earn the crown of World Champions intensifies. It will not surprise anyone if Kohli is the bookies' favorite for the tournament's top scorer list. Batting at number three for a strong Indian team, there is no reason that Kohli will not be at the top of the run scorer's chart.

However, In a recent Interview, Indian Coach Ravi Shastri said that he is contemplating playing Virat Kohli at number four. Suggesting that in tough conditions, he will prefer to protect his best batsman and he also hinted at the possibility of playing Ambati Rayudu at number three at certain times.

The Indian coach's primary reason behind his comment was to ensure Kohli does not get exposed to the new ball in tough and swinging conditions. It is no secret that he is India's most valuable wicket and not losing him early is vital for India. On the outset, Shastri's reasoning makes perfect sense.

Another thing to consider is that if there is one weakness in the Indian side, it is the middle order. If Kohli bats at number four, it will allow him to bat with the middle order and build the innings around them. His experience and presence will release pressure from the likes of MS Dhoni, Kedhar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya.

Also one must not forget that Kohli did bat at number four in India's victorious 2011 World Cup campaign. Ultimately, If the call is taken to play him at number four at the mega event, it will hardly be an outrageous one.

Having said that, it is crucial that India ensure Virat Kohli walks out to bat at number three unless forced to do otherwise. In limited overs cricket, it is extremely important that the team's best batsman gets to play as many deliveries as possible. For India to register big scores, Kohli coming in early, taking some time to get his eye in and then anchoring the innings is the ideal situation.

Another thing to consider is that the strong bond that has Kohli has with both of India's openers. In Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan, India have arguably the most formidable opening pair in world cricket at the moment.

While the two openers form an incredible pair, both of them also have a great rapport with Virat Kohli. The Indian captain and Rohit Sharma have batted together 70 times ODIs, in which they have scored 4248 runs at an average of 65.35.

On the other hand, the partnership of Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli has scored 2760 runs together in 47 innings in one-dayers at an average of 62.72. These are the two highest partnership averages for an Indian pair who have played more than 25 innings together. It does not take rocket science to figure out that India will be best served by letting these three players bat together as much as possible.

Furthermore, it is true that Kohli has played at number four in his career but it is a rare occurrence since he cemented his place in the Indian team. Since the 2011 World Cup, he has walked out to bat at number four only 27 times in which he has scored 1256 runs at an average of 57.09 and a strike rate of 93.09.

On the other hand, in the same period, Kohli has played 132 innings at number three, scoring 7214 runs with a sublime average of 66.79 and a phenomenal strike of 95.58.

While his record at number four is extremely good and the difference only marginal, the team will naturally be best served with their best batsman batting at the position he is most comfortable in.

Ravi Shastri's theory on trying and preserving Kohli's wicket is without a question very valid. There is no debating against the fact that his wicket is India's most prized possession. However, in adverse circumstances, will India really benefit from protecting him?

While the team will not want to see their captain get dismissed early, he is surely the player the team can trust the most to see through a hostile spell of bowling. By sending someone else to bat at number three in tough conditions, India might just end up gifting the opposition a wicket.

Ultimately, the team's interest has to come ahead of any individual. Behind every decision be it team selection, picking the combination or batting positions, what is the best for the team should be the only criteria that is used in making the decision. However, Virat Kohli is India's biggest asset. In his case, what is best for him is the best for the Indian team.