As the T20 World Cup nears, there is much excitement about the Indian squad and how they will line up on the field. Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has weighed in on the debate, particularly focusing on the opening partnership and Virat Kohli’s batting position.
Pathan believes that India needs to have a combination of left-hand and right-hand openers to maximize their chances of success. He suggests that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma should be India’s top two batsmen due to their impressive performances in international cricket. Jaiswal has an impressive strike rate of 160, while Rohit Sharma has been a key player for India in many tournaments. This combination would provide firepower at the top of the order, giving India a strong foundation to build upon.
However, if Virat Kohli were to open the batting, it would allow for a different combination of 11 players on the field, potentially opening up opportunities for players like Shivam Dubey and Rinku Singh. While this may seem like an attractive option, Pathan warns that it could lead to challenges in maintaining bowling strength in the squad. He suggests that having Jaiswal in the team could provide an additional bowling option, allowing for a more balanced playing XI with five proper bowlers.
Pathan also points out a key issue in the current Indian batting lineup – the lack of bowlers within the top six. He stresses that this factor must be taken into consideration when selecting the final team for the T20 World Cup. Without enough bowling options within the top six, it could be challenging to keep up with opposition scoring rates and maintain control over innings progression.
In conclusion, Pathan’s preferred batting order for India in the T20 World Cup would be Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma as openers, with Virat Kohli coming in at number three. His insights offer valuable considerations for team management as they finalize their squad selection ahead of this high-profile tournament.
