Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has weighed in on India’s batting order for the upcoming T20 World Cup, highlighting the crucial role Virat Kohli‘s position will play in shaping the team composition.
Rohit Sharma-Yashasvi Jaiswal Combo
Irfan Pathan advocates for Rohit Sharma and the in-form Yashasvi Jaiswal as the ideal opening pair. He emphasizes the importance of a right-left batting combination and Jaiswal’s impressive international strike rate of 160 to provide early firepower.
Virat Kohli at Top Opens Up Possibilities
However, Irfan Pathan acknowledges the possibility of Virat Kohli opening the batting during the Star Sports Press Room Show. While this scenario would mean potentially excluding either Jaiswal or Shubman Gill from the squad, it opens doors for other players. In this case, all-rounder Shivam Dube and exciting prospect Rinku Singh could find themselves in contention for a spot in the playing XI.
Balancing Batting & Bowling:
Pathan also pointed out the challenge of lacking bowling options among the top six batsmen. To address this, he suggests utilizing Jaiswal’s bowling abilities, allowing India to field five primary bowlers while keeping Jaiswal as a credible sixth option.
Irfan Pathan’s Preferred Lineup
Pathan’s ideal batting order prioritizes firepower at the top with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, followed by Virat Kohli at number three. This combination offers a strong mix of experience and aggression, while potentially allowing for a more well-rounded squad with additional bowling options like Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh.
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Selection Headache for BCCI
With the T20 World Cup approaching, the BCCI selectors face some tough decisions. While established players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are almost certainties, the final composition of the batting order and the inclusion of all-rounders like Dube and Singh remain open questions.
Irfan Pathan’s insights offer valuable food for thought as the selectors strive to build the best possible team to bring home India’s second T20 World Cup title.
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