India will play in the ninth T20 World Cup next month, competing against 19 other countries, hoping to break their drought in ICC (International Cricket Council) competitions.
Fans and analysts have long pondered the various lineups the first-ever champions could field in the playing XI since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the 15-member roster last month. With three possibilities available, the opening pair makes for a fascinating topic of discussion.
India has selected two specialist openers in their lineup: captain Rohit Sharma and the gifted Yashasvi Jaiswal. Shubman Gill is the only reserve player listed, and the squad does not have a backup opener. Virat Kohli, who has been the opening batsman for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a number of years and a former member of the Indian squad, can open for India.
Following Plan A, start with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma.
Rohit’s IPL 2024 campaign as the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) batsman was erratic. The veteran, who was abruptly stripped of his captaincy, had a great start to the season but experienced a slump in the middle. But in MI’s final league matchup against the Lucknow Super Giants, he concluded with a superb half-century. After 14 matches, Rohit amassed 417 runs at an average of 32.08 and a strike rate of 150. For the starting spot, the 37-year-old is a lock.
After an incredible season in the previous IPL, Yashasvi stunned the cricketing world. He went on to play his first Test and T20I match for India, turning in some incredible performances. But in the current IPL season, he has deceived by flattering. During IPL 2024, the southpaw scored 435 runs at a strike rate of 155.91 and an average of 31 in 15 games.
In the India vs. Afghanistan series earlier this year, Yashasvi and Rohit opened a few occasions. At a strike rate of 115, they could only generate 23 runs.
Is Ro-Ko ready to lead India to the top?
After amassing 741 runs from 15 matches with an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.70, Kohli proved to be the Orange Cap holder in the 2024 Indian Premier League. In every game, the former captain of India opened, amassing five half-centuries and one century.
Only once in T20I cricket history have Rohit and Kohli opened, and that was in Ahmedabad, India, in 2021 against England. In just nine overs, they added 94 runs. They each scored fifty-five points. Regretfully, they haven’t opened up together ever since.
While Yashasvi didn’t perform to his fullest in the IPL 2024, he has still accomplished great things for India in the past. India’s best left-right combination will come from him and Rohit at the start of the innings. In the meantime, Kolhi might be given a chance alongside Rohit if India wants to capitalise on his outstanding performance as an opener in the IPL.
