SYDNEY: Virat Kohli’s form may have taken a hit since dropping to number four in the batting order, but West Indian legend Sir Viv Richards feels the attacking player should continue in the position if that is what the Indian team requires.

India are currently involved in a tri-series with Australia and England.

Kohli has batted at number four in the first two losses at Melbourne and Brisbane, scoring 9 and 4 runs, leading to a huge debate. Skipper M.S. Dhoni later justified this ploy saying that it allows the star batsman to control the innings whether batting first or chasing a target.

“I believe number four is quite a good position for any good batsman,” agreed Richards here. “On these bouncy Australian wickets, there will always be some batsmen who are going to get outdone by that, especially early in the order. It makes sense to have Kohli bat at number four in such a scenario then because he can dictate terms whatever situation the match is in.”

Kohli has quickly climbed the popularity charts as an Indian batsman, not only among the fans but also among his colleagues, present and past.

Among them, Richards has always been a fan of his attacking batting, even likening the young cricketer to his own playing days at one point of time. Kohli has also drawn parallels with Australian great Ricky Ponting. Both of them batted at number three, irrespective of tournament conditions, making this spot their own.