The return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to India’s T20I setup has ignited fervent discussions about the ideal batting combination, particularly whether Kohli should open alongside Rohit. Suresh Raina, the veteran all-rounder, has now offered his strategic perspective on why Kohli might not be the best fit for the opening slot in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The anticipation for the T20 World Cup 2024 soared as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rejoined India’s T20I squad after a hiatus of over a year. Their return has sparked hopes of a triumphant comeback on the global stage, especially with the T20 World Cup looming in the near future.
While Kohli has previously opened in T20Is and achieved success as an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, there is an ongoing debate about his ideal batting position. Despite his success at the top, statistics suggest that Kohli has been most effective at the No. 3 position. This has led to divided opinions among fans about whether Kohli should continue to open alongside Rohit.
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Suresh Raina, the seasoned campaigner for India, has added his voice to the debate, focusing on the strategic aspect of India’s batting lineup for the T20 World Cup. Raina emphasized the significance of the experience that Rohit and Kohli bring to the squad, especially considering the challenging pitches in the USA and the West Indies, the designated venues for the tournament.
“If you look at the World Cup venues (in the USA and the West Indies), the wicket will be a bit tricky. India will need the experience of Rohit and Kohli there. Kohli is about to make 12000 runs in T20 cricket. So, their presence will boost India’s batting. Their presence will certainly better India’s chances to win the T20 WC,” Raina explained.
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On the matter of Kohli’s batting position, Raina argued that Kohli’s wealth of experience makes him invaluable in the middle order. He suggested that Kohli could provide solidity to the Indian lineup and play the role of a rescue artist when needed by batting at the No. 3 position. In Raina’s assessment, this would pave the way for young and fearless openers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, or Shubman Gill at the top.
“I think Kohli should bat at No. 3. His experience will bring in some solidity, especially in the challenging pitches in the US and the Caribbean. There are fearless, young cricketers like Jaiswal, Rinku Singh or Shubman Gill but Rohit and Kohli will give the unit a lot of solidity,” revealed the veteran all-rounder.
As the discussions around the T20 World Cup lineup intensify, Raina’s insights provide a thoughtful perspective on the balance between experience and youth in India’s batting order. The final decision, however, rests in the hands of the team management as they aim to field the most effective combination for success in the upcoming tournament.