Virat Kohli in ICC World Cup 2015: India should bat the enforcer at No. 3

One must also remember that Kohli is probably set to take on the mantle after Dhoni at some point of time.

Virat Kohli enters the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 as one of India’s biggest hopes. Kohli has been India’s best batsman for a few years and has matured into a match-winning, dependable asset. Nishad Pai Vaidya writes about what lies in store for the Indian vice-captain at the big event.  India vs Pakistan Live Score

Virat Kohli ended the last World Cup with the iconic line, “He’s carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It was time we carried him on our shoulders.” Kohli was one of the men who carried Sachin Tendulkar around Wankhede Stadium for a lap of honour after the dream triumph on home soil. The young man perfectly articulated the burden of expectations on the veteran’s shoulders. Four years on, it is quite ironic that Kohli has taken on the mantle from Tendulkar, of being India’s biggest trump card. India’s hopes rest on his young, but mature shoulders ahead of ICC World Cup 2015. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS

Though Kohli did not score too many runs during the tri-series and the warm-up games, he remains India’s primary match-winner. There is no reason to worry about his form: the Indian vice-captain was in terrific form during the Test series Down Under and the failures in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs) can probably be shrugged off as temporary. Kohli has been phenomenally consistent over the last two years barring the slump during the England tour. Time and again, he has shown the mettle to absorb pressure and script match-winning knocks. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE

Let us discuss Kohli’s performances in world events after the ICC World Cup 2011. By 2012 he had become India’s biggest hope as Tendulkar was on the wane. During the World T20 that year he personified India’s challenge with his body language and aggression. In ICC Champions Trophy 2013, the top order outshone him, but his crucial knock came to India’s rescue in the final when the others crumbled under pressure. And the ICC World T20 2014 was emphatic proof of the fact that he had matured into a genuine match-winning batsman. Kohli is technically and temperamentally ready for the big stage! PREVIEW: India vs Pakistan ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Match at Adelaide

One must also remember that Kohli is probably set to take on the mantle after Dhoni at some point of time. He could be captain when India travel to England for ICC World Cup 2019. Until then, he can enjoy this tournament without the burden of leadership, though that too has brought the best out of him so far. However, when compared to the ICC World Cup 2011, Kohli has a much bigger role to play. He is one of the seniors in the dressing room and yet retains the youthful touch. He embodies India’s hopes and symbolises their aggression. The team has to rally around him for the big event. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage

The big question remains: where would Kohli bat? Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are set to open the batting. Ajinkya Rahane has been placed at No. 3 a few times, which saw Kohli being pushed down to No. 4. But, being the enforcer in the side, it is imperative that he bats at No. 3. He can hold the innings together at No. 3 and take them through to the end. There may also be more freedom to express himself. He is one man who doesn’t feel the pressure and instead, stares back in its face. That would be his biggest strength this World Cup!

Having said that, Kohli’s numbers are actually better at No. 4 than at No. 3, so there would probably be nothing to lose for him either way. Let us have a look:

(Nishad Pai Vaidya is a Correspondent with CricketCountry and anchor for the site’s YouTube Channel. His Twitter handle is @nishad_45)

PREVIEW: India vs Pakistan ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Match at Adelaide

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