South Africa vs India 2018: 3 reasons why Kohli can consider resting himself in the 6th ODI
After failing in the 4th ODI at the Wanderers, India succeeded to seal the series at Port Elizabeth. This essentially makes the last ODI at Centurion a dead rubber. However, those who understand Kohli, know amply well that the aggressive skipper is not the one to get complacent after winning the series.
However, when Kohli would sit down with the team management to chalk out the playing XI for the last ODI, he would be faced with dilemma. On one hand, he would love to end the ODI leg on a high but on the other, he would also want to test India’s bench strength. The catch would be to only fiddle with the team so much so that its balance is not distorted.
This very fact may lead him to think of benching himself. This may sound a bizarre idea to begin with but read on to know the three reasons why Kohli can consider resting himself in the 6th ODI.
#1 Giving the youngsters a go
In the two games that Shreyas Iyer has played, he has looked like a fish out of water. Part of the reason is that Iyer is more of a grafter than a slogger. Often times, when he comes out at No. 5, the team requires some quick runs. To boost Iyer’s confidence, he can be promoted at No.3 in the last ODI to give him some time to build his innings while giving Kohli some much-needed rest.
The team management can then choose between Manish Pandey and Dinesh Karthik for the No. 5 spot. It would be in the team’s overall benefit if all players are given some time in the middle. This would keep their spirits afloat and keep them ready for their next opportunity.