IPL 2018: Kris Srikkanth backs Rohit Sharma to open for Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma has scored 231 runs so far this season.

Rohit has been the most productive for Mumbai at the top. (IANS)

Mumbai Indians have been on a slight winning streak at the moment having won 2 out of their last 3 matches. Tonight they take on KKR n Kolkata and the debate over if  Rohit Sharma should open the batting for Mumbai Indians have been once again brought into the limelight.

Former Indian skipper Kris Srikkanth is the latest to voice his opinion on the debate saying that the MI skipper is better suited to opening than batting in the middle order. 

“There has been very little to choose between Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders this season. The only thing going for Kolkata this evening will be the fact that they can live another day even if they end up second best. For Mumbai, every game from here is a knockout and this clutch situation can be a double-edged sword at times,” Srikkanth wrote in his column for TOI on Wednesday.

“It has been heartening to see Mumbai settle in with the right combination. They have been covering all bases in their last few games; however, the only area where I feel they could do better is Rohit Sharma needs to open the innings.”

Rohit has had a quiet IPL 2018 so far. He has made 231 runs from 10 games and has played just two innings of substance - unbeaten 94 against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mumbai and unbeaten 56 against Chennai Super Kings. Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis have been shouldering the responsibilities of batting in the top order and has been going a good enough job. Yadav has scored 399 runs at the top, Lewis has scored 247 so far. 

Tonight's contest at Eden Gardens gives Rohit the perfect setting to open the batting for Mumbai Indians because that's where he has been the most successful. As far as his batting record at Eden is concerned, Rohit has scored 418 runs in 11 T20 innings at an average of 52.25 and at a strike rate of 146.67.

“It goes without saying that the best batsman in the side should be allowed to face maximum deliveries. For an opener with such an outstanding record in white ball cricket, I can’t really see a reason why Rohit refuses to open in the IPL. Eden Gardens is one of his happy hunting grounds and I would like to see the skipper open the innings,” concluded Srikkanth. 
 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 09 May, 2018

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