Cricket supporters, here’s a historical nugget from the Asia Cup 2022 you would stand up to consider. Imagine being on the top of your game, being a master and a legend, and a suggestion being made that you move down the order, and then you will still be the one who shines. That’s exactly what Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of India at the time and a former opener, suggested in the 2022 Asia Cup, when he suggested that Kohli move down the order from his No.3 batting position so that Suryakumar Yadav, who was in amazing form, could bat higher.
The Three vs Four Dilemma: Kohli’s Stability Takes on Surya’s Hot Streak
Over the years, Virat Kohli has made the No.3 spot in T20 cricket his own, amassing 3,000+ runs with an impressive average above 53 and striking at 135. That’s legendary territory. Yet, as Gambhir pointed out, form shouldn’t be ignored for the sake of tradition or hierarchy. In the tournament opener against Pakistan, Kohli managed a brisk 34-ball 35 at No.3, while Surya Yadav, batting at No.5, could only manage 18. The next game against Hong Kong mirrored this, with Kohli scoring 59* off 44 balls at No.3—but it was Surya at No.4 who truly stole the show with 68 off just 26 balls.
Gambhir’s argument was simple: why not maximize Surya’s current purple patch? Kohli, with his vast experience, could easily adapt to No.4 depending on the situation. Surya, on the other hand, is 30—not a youngster with unlimited innings to experiment with.
Numbers Don’t Lie: Why Surya Could Thrive at No.3
By the numbers, Surya has a very good record at No.4 in T20Is – 42.34 average at 168.65 strike rate from 46 innings. At No.3, his average drops to 34, but he has a very good strike rate of 165.66 from 23 innings. Though Kohli has established himself in the No.3 spot, it is clear that Surya’s attacking game could also offer India an aggressive option in the top order batting.
Gambhir’s understanding was not merely theoretical; it was logical and observational. He had seen Surya perform brilliantly in England and the West Indies, conditions in which many did not perform well. For a player in absolute form, the notion of being restrained can hinder rhythm—new thinking was the last thing Gambhir wanted, so he avoided it at all costs. More about balancing the needs of the team with the respect for individual momentum, something all coaches navigate.
Tradition vs Tactical Flexibility
What’s interesting in this situation is the pull between experience and strategic tinkering. Kohli is India’s lynchpin – he is a player whose technique and temperament at No. 3 regularly produce results. However, Gambhir’s suggestion was a request for agility – sometimes it is necessary to compromise for the greater good, even for the greatest. It is a unique viewpoint in cricket, where the decision-making process is largely driven by egos and legacies.
FAQs
1. How did Suryakumar Yadav perform at No.4 in those matches?
Batting at four, Surya lit up the scoreboard with an unbeaten 68 in only 26 balls against Hong Kong.
2. What is Gambhir’s main argument for not changing a player’s position?
He believed you shouldn’t fiddle with a player’s form when they are performing at their peak.
3. How do Surya’s T20I numbers compare at No.3 and No.4?
Surya averages 42.34 at No.4 and 34 at No.3, with a consistently high strike rate in both positions.
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