Team India’s famed top-order has failed to perform as per the expectations in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 barring KL Rahul, who is the only seasoned campaigner from the ‘Top 3’ to feature in the Orange Cap race. The likes of Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan have been going through a rough patch which puts the Men In Blue in a spot of bother leading up to the T20 World Cup in Australia in October-November this year.
With just over five months left for the showpiece event to commence, former Indian opener, Wasim Jaffer has come forward and named the Men In Blue’s top-order contenders for the showpiece event in Australia. Meanwhile, the multiple-time Ranji Trophy winner has also justified the reason behind the inclusion of two emerging openers who have not had the best of the season so far.
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During a recent chat with CricTracker, Wasim Jaffer said, “If we are to talk about the openers then I feel the batters who are definite for this position are KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. I think these will surely be there in the World Cup. Apart from that, I feel Prithvi Shaw should be in the World Cup T20 squad and there could be an outside chance for Ruturaj Gaikwad even though his IPL form has not been up to the mark.”
He further added, “But, I feel we need to persist with Ruturaj Gaikwad because he is a really big talent. Your IPL might not turn out to be good on many occasions but, I feel these four openers from the IPL must be there.”
KL Rahul might have suffered three ducks this season, he has had an outstanding season so far and has amassed 451 runs from 11 matches averaging 50.11 and a strike rate of 145.02 including a couple of centuries, and as many half-centuries.
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After struggling in the first half, Ruturaj Gaikwad played a brilliant knock of 99 against southern rivals Sunrisers Hyderabad last week. Apart from that, he also hit a 48-ball 73 against the Gujarat Titans. Prithvi Shaw witnessed a topsy turvy curve throughout the season. The young sensation has so far scored 259 runs from nine games including a couple of half-centuries with his highest score being 61.
