The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29, serves as an opportunity to Team India to end their long-standing global trophy drought.
Ahead of their campaign opener against Ireland in New York on June 5, the Men in Blue face a slight dilemma regarding the batting order.
While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma would provide a left-right opening combo, there is a school of thought that Virat Kohli should partner at the Indian captain at the top.
Notably, Kohli will enter the T20 World Cup on the back of his stunning exploits in the IPL 2024 season, where he amassed 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, including one hundred and five half-centuries. Playing for RCB, the star batter finished the season as the leading run-getter and won the Orange Cap.
However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is among the cricket experts who wants the young left-hander Jaiswal to open the innings.
Speaking on Star Sports, Pathan explained his reason, stating: “If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli open the innings, a left-arm spinner will come in straight away, and you need to counter that. Without a left-hand batter, you will struggle, especially in a big game.”
“But if Virat bats at number 3, it opens the slot for Jaiswal. A right-hand, left-hand combination is crucial, especially when the ball is moving or spinning. Most teams have left-arm spinners who can take the ball away from right-handers. This is why you need a left-hander at the top of the order,” he added.
On the other hand, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar said he would have picked a “younger core set of players”. Since Kohli and Rohit feature in the squad, Manjrekar wants India to open with the veteran campaigners.
“It is impossible to have Virat Kohli batting at number 3, because then you don’t get the full value of Virat. And Rohit Sharma, as well, has to open. So, India, in a way, have forced itself to have only one kind of combination, two right-handers. Unfortunately, Jaiswal will have to sit out,” Manjrekar opined.
“I would have gone completely with a new lot; then, you would have had a lot more flair and it would be something different. India have trusted the seniors, a move that hasn’t worked over the years. Let’s hope it works this time,” he further remarked.
