Irfan Pathan suggests Virat Kohli opening with Rohit Sharma could create opportunities for power-hitters in Indian playing XI for T20 World Cup

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has proposed a bold strategy for the Indian team ahead of the T20 World Cup, suggesting that Virat Kohli should open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma to create opportunities for power-hitting finishers like Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube in the playing XI.

Pathan emphasized the importance of having a right-hand and left-hand combination at the top of the order, advocating for young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal to partner with Sharma. He highlighted Jaiswal’s impressive international strike rate of 160 as a key factor in providing the team with the necessary firepower.

However, Pathan also acknowledged the benefits of having Kohli open the batting, as it would allow for a different team combination that could potentially include players like Dube and Singh in the playing XI. He pointed out that if Kohli were to bat at number three, this scenario might not materialize.

In addition, Pathan suggested utilizing Jaiswal’s leg-break bowling skills if he secures a spot in the final XI, as none of the top six batsmen in the lineup currently bowl. This strategic move could provide the team with an extra bowling option while maintaining a strong batting order.

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden echoed Pathan’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of Kohli’s role in the powerplay overs. Hayden stressed the significance of having Kohli play a majority of the powerplay overs as an opener, alongside Jaiswal, to create a left and right-hand combination that could prove advantageous for the team.

As the T20 World Cup approaches, the debate over Kohli’s batting position continues to be a topic of discussion among cricket experts, with both Pathan and Hayden emphasizing the need for a balanced and winning team selection.