Don't think anybody can replace him at no. 3 but...: Virat Kohli's childhood coach makes big claim on pupil

2022 has been quite an extraordinary year for Virat Kohli as his place in India's T20 World Cup has been put under doubt. The talisman Indian batter has struggled for form across formats and has had a year to forget with the bat so far.

Kohli had a forgettable 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign where he had an unprecedented struggle and was dismissed for three golden ducks. The ex-Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain made just 341 runs in 16 matches as the Bengaluru-based franchise fell one step short of making the final. Later, he managed to score just 76 runs across six innings across the three formats in the recently concluded tour of England.

As talks about Kohli possibly being dropped from the side continue, his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has claimed in no uncertain terms that there is no one who can take his place in the side at the number three position. However, he cautioned that India need to groom youngsters for that role while claiming that Shreyas Iyer might be a long-term option in the role.

“It is important. See, I don't think anyone can replace Virat Kohli at no.3 for some time, but we will have to develop youngsters at that position. And I think there will be many experiments on that position too. It isn't necessary that only Shreyas Iyer takes over that role,” said Rajkumar on DD Sports during the pre-match show for ongoing the India-West Indies 2nd ODI.

“He is a suspect against genuine fast bowling sometimes, especially against short-pitched deliveries. He has been dismissed on many occasions playing the short delivery in the past. I think his best position would be no.4 or no.5. He accelerates really well, he paces his innings well. By the time he arrives in either of those positions, the ball wouldn't be moving much and it is a high possibility he won't be targeted straightaway. So, I think he can be a better batsman (in that role),” concluded Kohli's childhood roach.