Former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra believes that India should start testing out Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the opening pair for the upcoming T20 World Cup being held in the West Indies and the USA.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra emphasised the importance of helping Virat Kohli by providing the best conditions for the star batter to flourish.
Chopra said, “If you see the entire World Cup, Virat Kohli has a playing style and he scores a lot of runs when he follows that template. Even in T20s, he rarely starts hitting fours and sixes from the first ball. He takes his time. If he has to run at a strike rate of 150, he does that in the powerplay.”
Virat Kohli has had success in the opening role where he partnered with South African, Faf du Plessis for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recent edition of the IPL. Kohli managed to finish with 639 runs in the campaign. He also managed to set a record-breaking ODI World Cup campaign as well in 2023 where he scored 765 runs to set the new record for the most runs in ODI World Cup history.
READ MORE: ‘What More Can he do?’: Aakash Chopra Questions Dhruv Jurel’s Selection in India’s Test Squad Over Sarfaraz Khan
Chopra also said, “In New York or the West Indies, the pitches will be such that there will be more chances of runs getting scored in the first six overs. So ideally you want Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to be together from the start. If you have to follow that template, start it now.”
Chopra also made a cheeky football reference while making his case as well. He added,” Ideally you want Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to face the new ball. Like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing together from the start.”
Virat Kohli will be making his return to the T20I side as the batter is back in the squad for the second match against Afghanistan in the three-game series. Kohli last made his appearance in the shortest format against England back in November 2022.
Rohit Sharma who is leading the side will also look to put in a significant contribution with the bat after an anti-climactic dismissal in the first game where he was run-out for a duck in Mohali.
READ MORE: Steve Harmison’s Reveals Chat With Ben Stokes After Criticism for England’s Training Camp in Abu Dhabi
India on the other hand will be looking to test out their team combinations as they aim to prepare themselves for the upcoming T20 World Cup where the Men in Blue will look to get their hands on the title that has eluded them since the inaugural edition.
Comments
0 comment