Virat Kohli and KL Rahul hold immense importance in Indian cricket, serving as pillars of strength for the team. Kohli, the prolific batsman and captain, embodies consistency and leadership. His ability to chase targets, adapt to different formats, and inspire his teammates is invaluable.
Rahul, a versatile batsman, provides stability and adaptability to the batting order. His dependable performances in various formats make him a linchpin. Both players symbolize the next generation of Indian cricket, carrying the hopes of a cricket-crazy nation.
As the ODI World Cup taking place, both players are in the spotlight and will be carrying the burden of hopes of millions of Indian cricket fans. Here is a list of two reasons why both players can help Team India to lift the ODI World Cup trophy.
Virat Kohli
1) Track Record at Number 3
Virat Kohli's track record at number 3 in ODI cricket is nothing short of extraordinary. His consistent and prolific batting in this pivotal position has been a cornerstone of India's success. With numerous centuries and unmatched versatility, Kohli's dominance at number 3 remains an awe-inspiring feat in the world of cricket.
Overall, he has scored 13027 runs in 268 innings at an average of 57.4 and with a strike rate of 93.8. His numbers are a pure example of his ability as a number 3 batsman for team India.
2) Anchor the Innings after Opening Partnership
Virat Kohli's presence at number 3 in the ODI World Cup is a strategic advantage for Team India, especially when the opening partnership falters. Kohli's remarkable ability to anchor the innings is a testament to his world-class batting.
He excels at building partnerships, steadying the ship, and crafting match-winning innings. His composure, technique, and adaptability make him the ideal candidate to stabilize the innings after an early setback. Kohli's prowess allows the middle order to thrive, and his leadership qualities provide inspiration.
KL Rahul
Stats as a Number 5 Batsman in ODIs
KL Rahul's role as a number 5 batsman in ODIs is an intriguing prospect. His elegant strokeplay and ability to rotate strike can stabilize the innings during challenging phases. Rahul's recent success in various formats has showcased his potential to excel at number 5, providing depth to India's batting lineup.
As an opening batsman, KL Rahul has performed decently for team India by scoring 884 runs in 21 innings at an average of 46.5 with a strike rate of 80.6. As an opener, Rahul always starts slow in the ODIs and he fails to score quick runs. Due to the same reason his strike rate drops to 62 in most of the cases.
However, as the number 5 batsman, KL Rahul has done a good job in the ODIs. He has scored 750 runs at an average of 46.9 and a strike rate of 100.4 – which is 24.6% higher than as an opener. It clearly shows his quality as a batsman at number 5.
2) Dependability and Flexibility
KL Rahul has emerged as a dependable and flexible player for Team India in ODIs, earning his reputation through consistent performances and adaptability. His reliability stems from his ability to thrive in various roles within the team.
What sets him apart is his flexibility to slot into the middle order when required. His capacity to adapt to different batting positions adds a dynamic dimension to the team's strategy.
Furthermore, his wicket-keeping skills offer another layer of flexibility, allowing India to field an additional specialist batsman or bowler. Rahul's proficiency behind the stumps provides the team with balance and options.
