Delhi: Former South African explosive wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers has urged the Indian team management to send veteran batsman Virat Kohli at number 3 in the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The 35-year-old Kohli won the Orange Cap as an opener in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, but Kohli is facing difficulties in the ongoing tournament in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA). In 3 matches, Virat has scored only 5 runs in 9 balls at an average of 1.66 and a strike-rate of 55.55.

Kohli would like to rectify his mistakes in the Super-8 match against Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday. De Villiers, who played with Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL from 2011 to 2021, said that Virat is one of the best players in the world when it comes to handling pressure in the middle overs.

40-year-old AB Villiers said on his YouTube channel, “I have always said that please make Virat bat at number three. Especially on better wickets, where he will play now, Virat is the player to go at number three. He can play aggressive cricket and can also handle pressure if necessary. He is the best player in the world in the middle overs. I don't see any reason for him to open.”

India need to be more aggressive to win the World Cup: de Villiers

Mr. 360 degree also said that India will have to be a little more aggressive to end their drought of not winning an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy. It is worth noting that the Rohit Sharma-led Team India is currently undefeated in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup. They registered wins against Ireland, Pakistan and the United States of America (USA), but their match against Canada was cancelled due to rain. The team in blue jersey has won 3 out of 4 matches so far.