 "Virat Kohli during the T20 World Cup opener for India against Ireland. AP")
Former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has labeled India’s decision to open with Virat Kohli alongside Rohit Sharma as a significant mistake, stating that the batter superstar is better suited for the No 3 role that he is more accustomed to in white-ball cricket.
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There had been a debate over Rohit’s opening partner heading into India’s opening game of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Ireland, with Kohli and left-handed batter Yashasvi Jaiswal the two contenders. The Men in Blue went with Rohit and Kohli at the top of the order with wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant batting at No 3, allowing the Indian team management to accommodate as many as four all-rounders in their XI.
Ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan in New York, Akmal advised the Men in Blue to take Kohli back to his old batting position.
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“I don’t think the batting order is correct. Virat Kohli can take the pressure at No. 3 and finish the match. That is very important for Team India. Yashasvi Jaiswal should open the batting. Kohli should come at 3.
“If India stick to this batting order opening, then they may get stuck at some point. Kohli holds one end up and finishes off the game. I think India are making a mistake by opening with Kohli,” Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
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Kohli had been dismissed for 1 after facing five deliveries, getting caught at third man while attempting to play an uppercut off a short, wide delivery from Irish pacer Mark Adair. The former India captain, however, had a fantastic IPL season before the World Cup, finishing at the top of the table with 741 runs batting at the top of the order alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Faf du Plessis.
Kohli had opened for only the second time alongside Rohit on Wednesday. While he is accustomed to the No 3 spot in ODIs and T20Is, Kohli has been batting as an opener for RCB for years now.
India began their campaign with a commanding eight-wicket victory on a tricky New York pitch on Wednesday, bowling Ireland out for 96 after opting to field in overcast conditions. After skipper Rohit and Pant would come to India’s rescue after they lost Kohli’s wicket early. While Rohit struck a 36-ball half-century before retiring hurt, Pant finished the game with an unbeaten 36 off 26 balls in his first international match since December 2022.