Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has opined that the Indian stalwart, Virat Kohli should be opening the innings for India at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 as it will provide an added balance to the Rohit Sharma-led side in Australia. Patel pointed out that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can be the ideal opening partners as they have two distinct approaches to batting.
Many cricket experts have pointed out that Kohli should open the innings for India after the star batter hit his maiden T20I century on September 8 while opening the innings against Afghanistan in the Super 4 match of Asia Cup 2022. Kohli came out to open the innings alongside KL Rahul after captain Rohit Sharma was rested and smashed 122 not out off just 61 balls, helping India post 212. Kohli showed signs of his vintage self as he kept on dominating the Afghanistan bowling attack.
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Talking about the same, during a chat on Cricbuzz, Parthiv Patel said, “It’s very clear. If I was clear that Virat Kohli should be opening in the Asia Cup, he should be opening in the World Cup as well. It just gives the right balance. They (Kohli and Rohit Sharma) are two different kinds of players.”
He further explained, “One goes very aggressive (from the beginning), and can hit boundaries, and there is Kohli who finds gaps and creates boundaries. If Rohit and Kohli can play till the first six overs I have no doubt that even in Australian conditions more often than not they will get India to around fifty.”
Parthiv Patel also went on to say that Virat Kohli is India’s best batter suited to Australian conditions.
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The southpaw batter said, “That is a good score without losing a wicket. Kohli is probably India’s best batter suited for those conditions. So why not. You have got your two best batters playing the first six overs. If you have wickets in hand, that has always been the recipe for success for any T20 team.”
