"Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4"- Anil Kumble questions India's tactics in 1st IND vs NZ 2024 Test
Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble felt ace batter Virat Kohli should have batted at his customary No.4 position instead of moving up to one-drop on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. With their regular Test No.3 Shubman Gill ruled out of the contest due to a stiff neck, there was suspense around who would occupy the position for India.
India won the toss and batted first under overcast and damp conditions, only to immediately find themselves 9/1 in the seventh over. In walked Kohli at No.3 and the move faltered massively as he was dismissed for a nine-ball duck to sink India further into trouble.
Speaking on Jio Cinema as quoted by Hindustan Times, Kumble felt India missed Cheteshwar Pujara weathering the new ball storm at No.3 on such a day.
"Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4, he is your number one batter at that position. For the number three position, [you need] someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who did so well for so many years playing there. 100 Test matches because he would have been there today, then I don't think he would have gone looking to hit the ball," said Kumble.
He added:
"He (Pujara) would allow the ball to come on and that's where you miss someone like that. Kind of an approach today. And India is certainly in a spot of bother here."
With his latest dismissal, Kohli continued an extended run of poor form in Tests, averaging a dismal 26.16 in four outings this year.
The 35-year-old also boasts a poor record at No.3, averaging 16.16 in seven Test innings.
Virat Kohli's failure sparked an unfathomable batting collapse by Team India
Virat Kohli was one of five Indian batters to be dismissed for no-score in one of the most shocking batting performances by the side in home conditions. Only Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant even reached double figures as India were shot out for a paltry 46 - their lowest-ever total at home.
It was also their third-lowest total in Test cricket as the Bengaluru crowd were stunned by India's capitulation. India's first innings lasted a mere 31.2 overs as batters came and went like nine pins in the wake of some outstanding bowling and fielding by the BlackCaps.
In response, New Zealand enhanced their dominant position by racing to 180/3 in 50 overs at Stumps on Day 2. The opening day of the contest was entirely washed out due to rain.