T20 World Cup: India should stick with the opening pair of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

T20 World Cup: Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer believes that the team should stick with the opening batting pair of Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma for the remainder of their matches in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite Kohli and Rohit’s silent start to the competition, Jaffer lauded India’s veteran opener for getting back into form during India’s Super 8 encounters in the West Indies. Moreover, Jaffer also believes that changing the opening pair will completely disturb the entire India batting order, including the positions of Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav. Indian Premier League (

IPL) After entering the T20 World Cup 2024 with his brilliant batting form, Kohli has not been able to replicate it for his national team in the competition. In his group-stage matches, the 35-year-old has managed a total of just 5 runs in his three innings against Ireland, Pakistan and USA. His highest score came against Pakistan, where he got out for 4 runs, while the veteran India batsman got out for a golden duck against USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar. On the other hand, India captain Rohit also suffered the same fate, scoring only 68 runs in his 3 innings including a 52-run knock against Ireland.

Speaking to Star Sports, Jaffer explained why the duo’s dip in form is only temporary and how they will get back into the run-scoring rhythm in the West Indies. “Now that you are stuck with both of them, I don’t think it will make sense because you will play them both separately. You can probably think of playing Yashasvi Jaiswal. That’s probably what you will be thinking, and then Rishabh Pant, who has done so well at number three, he will have to bat lower down the order as well, maybe at number four. Then where does Suryakumar (Yadav) bat. So it is going to disturb the whole batting order, so I think they will probably stick to that,” Jaffer said. “Rishabh has done well at number three. Suryakumar you wouldn’t want to bat lower than that, so I think they will stick to that. But yes, they have to work very hard in the powerplay. We have seen that when

Australia did that against England, they were way ahead in the powerplay and scored 74 runs. That’s where you can make a mark. So the way Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are batting, you can see that happening in the powerplay in the West Indies.” After securing qualification for the Super 8s with a 7-wicket win against hosts USA, India will now gear up for a Super 8 clash against in-form Afghanistan in Barbados on June 20, which will also be their first match in the Caribbean.

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