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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (Source: X)
As the T20 World Cup 2024 is approaching, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is about to announce the squad for the tournament. There are a lot of players who have scored an ample amount of runs in the ongoing IPL 2024 which has increased the workload of the selectors. Meanwhile, players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have performed well in the tournament and shown great potential which is a sign of relief for the selectors. However, the opening pair for the World Cup is still in confusion and as per reports, the selectors are planning to send Virat as an opener. Even though the news isn't confirmed yet, this has drawn some criticism towards itself.
Let's discuss the three points why Virat Kohli should open alongside Rohit Sharma in the World Cup 2024:
1. Virat Kohli's T20 game suits him in the opening slot
It's been a few years since Virat Kohli became an opener for RCB and has done immensely well. Currently, he is the Orange Cap holder with 361 runs in seven innings. He is playing with an average of 72.20 and a strike rate of 147.35. Previously, he has played some brilliant knocks for the team but failed to help them get past the finishing line. Moreover, in T20s, the opening slot has suited Kohli and seems like he bats freely at the top order. Hence, the selectors might keep this in mind while making the team for the World Cup.
2. Power-pact hitting and patience at play: A deadly combination of RO-KO
One of the best reasons can also be the deadly combination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's batting technique. While Rohit is known as a striker who likes utilising the powerplay overs, Virat is more of a defender who likes to take the game deep into the last over. This pair will be best suited during the World Cup because if Rohit gets dismissed early, Virat will handle the innings from the other end. Moreover, when two of the best batters are opening for the team, it puts added pressure on the opposition bowlers as well.
3. Would be much easier for the likes of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya to finish off games
Virat Kohli opening the innings gives a chance to the finishers to bat deep and play their part in the game. Mostly India is dependent on Kohli to score or win matches, however, if he gets out early in any match, the middle-order batters like Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube and Hardik Panyda can divide the responsibility and contribute towards the team which will be quite beneficial. Hence, sending Virat to open for India increases a lot of chances for the cricket team which the selectors might explore for the upcoming tournament.