Team India’s preparations are in full swing as Rohit Sharma and his team gear up for the much-anticipated T20 World Cup, which kicks off this Sunday in the West Indies and the United States of America. The Men in Blue will launch their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. However, before diving into the main event, India is set to face Bangladesh in a warm-up fixture on Saturday at Nassau County, New York.
India has assembled a squad of 15 talented players, but the real challenge lies in selecting a balanced XI that suits the playing conditions in the US. A significant focus will be on India’s opening combination. There is keen interest in whether Virat Kohli will partner with Rohit Sharma at the top of the order.
Kohli had a phenomenal IPL season, scoring 741 runs in 15 matches as an opening batter. He even clinched the Orange Cap, becoming the first Indian batter to win this prestigious honour twice in the tournament’s history. However, the inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal complicates the selection process.
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Yashasvi Jaiswal had an impressive IPL 2024, amassing 435 runs, including a century. A segment of cricket experts and fans advocate for the duo of Rohit and Kohli to open the innings for India in the World Cup. However, former India all-rounder Suresh Raina believes Kohli should stick to his No. 3 position, allowing Jaiswal to open alongside Rohit.
“I prefer Virat to play at No. 3 in the World Cup. He’s a run machine. Yashasvi is in good form, and I’m sure he will do well as an opener. So, in my opinion, Virat should play at number 3,” Suresh Raina stated during an event in Delhi.
Suresh Raina, who was the first Indian batter to score a century in T20 World Cups, also emphasized the importance of including Shivam Dube in the playing XI. He highlighted Dube’s six-hitting prowess as a potential game-changer for India in the World Cup.
“Jaiswal is young and plays fearlessly. The same is true for Shivam Dube. The management should find a place for him in the team. The way Dube smashes sixes, very few players possess such an ability. We have seen Dhoni and Yuvraj exhibiting such power-hitting in the past. Dube is your trump card, but if Jaiswal is in the XI, then the all-rounder might miss out. Captain Rohit Sharma has to make the tough decision because Dube’s presence ensures an extra cushion of 20-30 runs,” Suresh Raina added.
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As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, the strategic decisions made by the team management regarding player selection and positioning will be crucial in their quest to end the ICC trophy drought and secure a long-awaited victory.
