Team India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan in Dubai on October 24.
Kohli confirmed his decision at the toss for India’s warm-up fixture against England at ICC Academy Ground, Dubai.
The Indian captain also said that KL Rahul will partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Notably, Rahul was in amazing form during the recently held second phase of IPL 2021 in UAE. He finished the tournament as third highest run-getter with 626 runs in 13 innings while leading Punjab Kings (PBKS).
“Things were different before IPL, now it's difficult to look beyond KL Rahul at the top of the order. Rohit is a no-brainer. World-class player, he's been solid up front. I will be batting at 3,” quoted Kohli at the toss ceremony.
Earlier this year, Virat Kohli had expressed his desire to open alongside heading into the T20 World Cup.
“I am going to open in IPL as well. I have batted in different positions in the past. But I feel we have a solid middle order now. So, I will definitely like to partner Rohit at the top going into the T20 World Cup,” Kohli had said after the fifth T20I against England in Ahmedabad.
“Two best batsmen in the team, one can play second fiddle if the other gets going. That can inflict a lot of damage to the opposition team. Other guys also feel a lot more confident when one of us is still in and is set.”
For the T20 World Cup 2021, Indian team is slotted in Group 2 along with Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and the two qualifiers from Round 1. The Men in Blue will start their campaign against Pakistan on October 24 in Dubai.
After facing the arch-rivals, India will play their group-stage match against New Zealand and Afghanistan on October 31 and November 3 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively while their games against the two qualifiers will be held in Dubai on November 5 and November 8.