Team India have made it to the Super 8 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after finishing in Group A at the top. The Men in Blue won three games, and one match was washed out. Interestingly, all these wins came without much contribution from Virat Kohli, who has been a run machine for India. Virat opened the innings in three matches but didn’t get going at all.
He registered scores of 1, 4, and 0 in three innings. This is the first time that he has registered three consecutive single-digit scores in T20 World Cup history. With India facing Afghanistan on June 20 in the Super 8 stage, we might see Yashasvi Jaiswal coming to open with Rohit Sharma. But will it be the right move? Well, we will discuss here three solid reasons why Virat Kohli should open the innings in the Super 8 despite his recent failures.
Three reasons why Virat Kohli should open with Rohit Sharma in Super 8 of ICC T20 World Cup 2024
1. Experience Factor
The conditions in West Indies will be different, which will mainly be on the slower side. That’s where India need an experienced duo at the top. Virat Kohli has immense experience playing in the West Indies, while Jaiswal hasn’t played a white-ball tournament on Carribbean Island. So that’s where experience will come into play. You need an experienced guy at the top in such conditions on the big stage, and Virat is a proven customer.
2. Team Combination
The biggest plus for India with Virat Kohli opening the inning is that India can pick Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel in the team. These four all-rounders have certainly added to the different dimensions within the team. If Virat shifts to No. 3, then India might have to leave one of these out. And as a captain, you always want more options. Rishabh Pant has done a decent job at No. 3, and India now have a number of left-handers in the middle order, which is an additional benefit.
3. Virat Kohli’s Powerplay form
Virat Kohli is known for playing an anchor role; he takes the innings together, and other batters play freely around him. But as seen in the IPL 2024, he has applied the aggressive approach as an opener, and his intentions are very clear to go hard in the powerplay. This gives India the option to go hard all the way. But if Virat bats at no. 3, his role will be different, and he is not that kind of guy who goes hard from ball one after the powerplay. That’s why it’s important that he keeps opening the innings, collects as many runs as possible in the powerplay, and carries on the momentum through his innings.
Also Read: 5 Players to Watch Out for in T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8