Former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu said that Team India should not panic and change their opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ongoing T20 World Cup as well. However, Rohit and Kohli have added just 22 and 12 in their two opening stands so far, with the latter getting dismissed on 1 and 4 respectively.

Speaking to Star Sports, Ambati Rayudu said: “I don’t think there’s any need to change the combination right now. We saw a great cover drive and even on the ball that he (Kohli) got dismissed (against Pakistan), he had played a fine shot and just couldn’t get the elevation to clear the fielder. The intent he showed was great and if both Virat and Rohit can bat with this intent, then the big days will come when either one of them or both will win India the game one-sided.”

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However, Virat Kohli had a stunning IPL 2024 as an opener, scoring 741 runs and winning the Orange Cap as well. His opening partnership with Rohit Sharma gave India a chance to try Rishabh Pant at No. 3, which has worked well so far as well. Meanwhile, veteran Indian leg-spinner Piyush Chawla also backed Ambati Rayudu in the same discussion.

On this, Chawla said: “Even in the two matches he (Kohli) got dismissed, look at his intent like Rayudu Bhai said. T20 is such a format that sometimes things just don’t go your way. But even in those few balls that a batter plays, you understand the kind of form he is in. The way the ball is hitting the middle of his bat, it is clear that he is in form. He has made big runs in tougher conditions and I feel the big knock is just around the corner.”