Three years after proposing to open alongside Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli might finally get his chance in this T20 World Cup. Experts believe his recent IPL form suggests he’s perfectly suited for the role.
Dominant strike rate in IPL 2024
Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian cricketer, believes Virat Kohli should only be picked in the India Playing XI if he opens.
He pointed to Kohli’s outstanding IPL season, where he averaged a staggering 93.25 with a strike rate of over 161 – a significant improvement from previous years. This dominance was evident in his consistent flurry of boundaries during the Powerplay overs.
Technical enhancements of Virat Kohli for Power Hitting
Kohli’s success comes from a revamped technique. He’s incorporated a wider backswing and creates space by moving his front foot away from the line of the ball. This allows him to access a wider range of deliveries and execute powerful shots like the slog-sweep.
Virat Kohli Conundrum: Leg stump deliveries
However, there’s a challenge – leg-stump deliveries. Experts believe these can restrict his shot selection, as opening his front foot further might lead to cramped shots. How he adapts to pitches in the US and the Caribbean will be crucial.
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Who makes way? Yashasvi Jaiswal or Rohit Sharma?
Including Virat Kohli as an opener necessitates a change. Manjrekar suggests the unfortunate omission of young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal to maintain a right-handed opening partnership with Rohit Sharma.
Counter-Arguments: Value of left-hander
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan argues against this approach. He highlights the importance of a left-hander at the top to counter left-arm spin bowling. He suggests Rohit Sharma could move down to No. 3, allowing lefty Yashasvi Jaiswal to open alongside Virat Kohli.
Decision on Horizon ahead of T20 World Cup
India’s approach at the top will be revealed in the coming days. Whether Kohli takes the field as an opener in the warm-up game against Bangladesh or waits for the first match against Ireland remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure – Kohli’s newfound power hitting could be a game-changer for India’s T20 World Cup campaign.
