Virat Kohli is a “definite option” when it comes to opening the innings. But India will be backing KL Rahul as their first-choice opener alongside captain Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup beginning next month in Australia. The team management has absolute clarity on the role of each and every player of the squad, captain Rohit Sharma categorically mentioned ahead of India’s three-match T20I series versus Australia beginning in Mohali on Tuesday.
“Rahulbhai and I have had a chat that we will have to make Virat open in some of the games because he is our third opener. In our last match (against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup), we saw what he did as an opener (hitting an unbeaten 122) and we are obviously happy about that,” Rohit said at a news conference on Sunday. That knock was Kohli’s first hundred since November 2019. While calling Kohli the team’s back-up opener, Rohit also clarified that Rahul remains his opening partner.
“KL will open for us in the T20 World Cup. We are not going to experiment with that position a lot. “Besides, his performances often go noticed. He’s a very important player for India. If you look at his performances over the last two-three years, it has been very good. “I want to make it clear to everyone that we have absolute clarity on this and kya khichdi pak rahi hai (what’s cooking), we know it very well. There’s no confusion,” Rohit made it clear. Rahul’s strike rate has been under the scanner and with Kohli finding form at the Asia Cup, the debate over who should be Rohit’s opening partner has intensified.
“We are clear with what KL brings to the table for us. He’s match-winner as well. “We have not picked a specialist back-up opener, so Virat can obviously open for us. He has done that well for his IPL franchise (Royal Challengers Bangalore) over the years,” Rohit stated.
Out of comfort zone
With the squad for the World Cup finalised, skipper Rohit wants his players to be out of their comfort zone and explore new aspects of their game in the remaining six T20Is against Australia and South Africa ahead of the showpiece event. The team management did cop criticism for experimenting a little too much, particularly with the final XI, in the Asia Cup.
“I wanted to bring in security in the team, that’s why we announced the team for both the series (against Australia and South Africa) before the World Cup. “We’ll keep encouraging people to be more expressive. For instance, for someone who doesn’t play the reverse sweep, he can try and see if he can get it right. It’s about trying things you are not comfortable doing. You do that and see what happens. “For bowlers, they can begin their spell with a yorker or bouncer,” Rohit explained.
