Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers recently praised Virat Kohli and shared thoughts on his potential batting position in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Reports suggest that Kohli might open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in the tournament scheduled for June this year.

Reflecting on his playing days, De Villiers emphasized the impact of Kohli batting at number 3, considering him the team’s crucial link in the middle-order.

“I’ve often seen him as the glue in the team’s middle order. While batting at No. 3 technically falls in the top order, his excellence allows him to seamlessly connect with both the middle-order and even the tailenders. It’s a formidable challenge for opponents to contend with,” he said.

Despite Kohli not opening in the recent T20I against Afghanistan, discussions surrounding India’s playing XI for the T20 World Cup persist. The Indian team has already secured victory in the whiteball series against Afghanistan, setting the stage for a potential series whitewash.

As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, Rohit Sharma faces an opportunity to reclaim his form in the final T20I against Afghanistan. Despite a lack of runs in this rubber-dead match, Sharma’s leadership will be crucial for India.

The debate on Kohli’s batting position continues, with De Villiers expressing concerns about him facing the new ball as an opener.

“When Virat opens and faces the first ball, he averages 23 with a strike rate of 138. However, when he doesn’t take the first ball and is at the non-striker’s end, his average increases to 140, with a strike rate of 173,” he added.