Virat should bat at four if team wants: Richards

January 24, 2015

Virat 4th

Sydney, Jan 24: Virat Kohli's form may have taken a hit since dropping to number four in the batting order, but West Indian legend Sir Viv Richards feels the marauding cricketer should continue in the position if that is what the Indian team requires.

The Men in Blue are currently involved in a tri-series with Australia and England, a dress-rehearsal for the upcoming ODI World Cup.

Kohli has batted at number four in the first two losses at Melbourne and Brisbane, scoring 9 and 4 runs, leading to a huge debate. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni later justified this ploy saying that it allows the star batsman to control the innings whether batting first or chasing a target.

"I believe number four is quite a good position for any good batsman," agreed Richards here.

"On these bouncy Australian wickets, there will always be some batsmen who are going to get outdone by that, especially early in the order. It makes sense to have Virat Kohli bat at number four in such a scenario then because he can dictate terms whatever situation the match is in."

Kohli has quickly climbed the popularity charts as an Indian batsman, not only among the fans but also among his colleagues, present and past.

Among them, Richards has always been a fan of his attacking batting, even likening the young cricketer to his own playing days at one point of time. Kohli has also drawn parallels with Australian great Ricky Ponting. Both of them batted at number three, irrespective of tournament conditions, making this spot their own.

"There are always some people who say that your best player should come in at number three. But it is tough to say these things from the outside and you don't know the team situation and you have to consider the conditions as well that are also an obvious factor here," Richards explained.

"In Australia and New Zealand you can lose wickets quickly and with Virat at three, he might be vulnerable. Coming in at number four, he will have a better perspective of the innings going forward. Whether batting first or chasing, he will know the requirements and bat accordingly," he said.

Richards said Kohli is good enough to bat at any position and win matches for his team.

"As the best batsman of the side, you want him to play more overs. But he also has to be comfortable doing the job for you. I am sure this is something the team management ought to have discussed among themselves."

"If Virat is feeling comfortable batting in that position, then it is good for their team. Because, personally, I feel Virat is good enough to bat almost anywhere, at whichever spot in the batting order," Richards added.

Kohli has scored 14 of his 21 ODI hundreds batting at number three. But he has enjoyed his fair share of success at the number four spot as well. That is where he batted in the 2011 World Cup, getting a hundred against Bangladesh in the opening game and building a solid partnership with Gautam Gambhir in the final against Sri Lanka.

It is also where he scored that marauding 133 not out against Sri Lanka at Hobart on the 2011-12 tour here, blowing Lasith Malinga away.

"I guess Virat feels he is of more use to the team at number four. And it is all about the team, not any personal individual, however good he is. It is about the contribution he can make to the team coming in at number four.

"He has been fairly successful doing it at number four, so I think it's a good place to be and I think will bring balance to the Indian batting order as he can dictate terms in a big way," said Richards.

This move has also been necessitated by the failure of Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu to make the number four spot their own, when they were afforded opportunities in the past calendar year.

They feel more comfortable batting further up. However, the same top-order, including Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, has been inconsistent at best. And the onus will be on them to give Kohli the necessary platform if this move is to succeed for India.

"India have enough good batsmen in their line-up. Rohit Sharma is good when on song. Shikhar Dhawan is an attacking player who has been struggling a little off-late and then Ajinkya Rahane at three. They have been tried and tested and they have done very well," said the legendary batsman.

"Fifty overs is a hell of a long time and you are playing on wickets that will always give assistance to seamers. There will be added bounce and so you want your best player at the crease when he should be able to dictate terms to the opposition.

"If the Indian team feels so and more importantly, if Virat feels this is what the team requires, then he should continue to bat number four. Because I think he is good enough to do so," Richards signed off.

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News Network
March 21,2020

London, Mar 21: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended all professional cricket till May 28, delaying the start of the new season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ECB took the decision following discussions with the First-Class Counties, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

"It was agreed that, given the current information available, a seven-week delay to the start of the season is the most appropriate approach," an ECB media statement said.

The Board also announced that it is working on three new options, including the three-Test series against West Indies, the T20 Cup and the women's schedule against India, for a possible start in June, July or August.

"Close liaison with the Government will continue, with discussions on the potential of starting the season behind closed doors and giving sports fans the opportunity to live broadcast action," the statement said on Friday.

"The potential for reduced versions of competitions, should the season become further truncated, will also be discussed."

The ECB said it will meet as needed to review the position and make further decisions as the UK situation unfolds.

"During this period of deep uncertainty it is the ECB’s first priority to protect the wellbeing of everyone within the cricket family, from players, to fans and colleagues across the game,’’ ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said.

"The decision to delay the start of the season has been essential, given the circumstances the nation faces. I am reassured by the collaborative effort from across the game that together, we will make the very best of whatever length of season we are able to safely schedule in the coming months," he added.

He said this would give the ECB time to keep pace with a fast-moving situation and continue to plan for how a revised season might look.

"Critically, we can also remain as flexible and adaptable as possible, within the obvious restrictions we face."

Last week, England's tour of Sri Lanka was called off mid tournament in view of the rising threat of the pandemic.

"Securing the future of the game will be a primary focus as we plot a revised schedule with an emphasis on the most financially important forms of the game for the counties across international and domestic cricket," Harrison said.

The COVID-19 global death toll has climbed past 11,000 with more than 250,000 infected. In UK, close to 4000 have tested positive so far and 177 died.

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News Network
April 5,2020

New Delhi, April 5: England batsman James Vince lashed out at people for not taking proper measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and said people are going out as if "everything is normal".

"Just seen the pictures of people out and about today as if everything is normal. What selfish people, surely by now they've realised this is serious. Well done to everyone who's doing their bit and staying in," Vince tweeted.

On March 13, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that Europe was now the 'epicentre' of the disease.

The death toll due to the novel coronavirus in the UK has exceeded 4,313 with at least 708 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the largest one-day rise since the start of the outbreak as confirmed by the Department of Health and Social Care.

The total number of cases in the UK as on Saturday is 41,903, a rise of 3,735 cases in the last 24 hours.

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News Network
March 28,2020

Milan, Mar 28: Juventus star Paulo Dybala revealed how he "struggled to breathe" after contracting coronavirus which has killed over 9,000 people in Italy.

The Argentine international announced last Saturday he was one of three Juventus players to catch the virus along with Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi, who both had no symptoms.

"I feel better now after some strong symptoms," the 26-year-old Dybala told JTV channel.

"A couple of days ago I was not well, I felt heavy and after five minutes of movement I had to stop because I was struggling to breathe.

"Now I can move and walk to start trying to train, because when I tried in the past few days I started to shake too much.

"I gasped for air and as a result I couldn't do anything, after five minutes I was already very tired, I felt the body heavy and my muscles hurt.

"Now I'm fine. My fiancee Oriana (Sabatini) has also overcome the symptoms."

Dybala has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, including in league leader's Juventus's last game against Inter Milan before Serie A and all sport in Italy was suspended.

"The goal against Inter was the greatest emotion, (Aaron) Ramsey provided the perfect assist - it's a pity that there was no public," added Dybala.

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