The ICC T20 World Cup 2022 is all set to kick off in October in Australia. The fans are excited as the preparations for the mega-event have begun. All the teams have been working towards finding their perfect combination for the tournament. India did not have a great outing in the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup. They failed to qualify for the knockouts of the tournament.
However this year, the inaugural champions will be keen to win their second T20 World Champions title. The opening partnership will be key for India to set the momentum of the match at the ICC T20 World Cup. They have given opportunities to youngsters to showcase their abilities on the international stage while opening the innings. The Indian management has been trying out multiple combinations before the event.
On that note, take a look at the five possible opening combinations for India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022:
#5 Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma will definitely be opening the innings for the team at the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 unless an injury scare rules him out. He has been one of the best all-format players for India at the moment. The 34-year-old also has a good record while opening the innings for India. He averages 31.51, including four centuries at the top of the batting order.
Along with Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul is likely to be the opener for India. He has been out of action for a while after undergoing a sports hernia surgery and then testing positive for the virus. Talking about his record while opening the innings, KL Rahul has scored 1392 runs in 38 matches, including fifteen half-centuries.
#4 Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan
Another possible opening combination for India would be Rohit Sharma with Ishan Kishan. The young wicket-keeper batter has opened the innings several times for India and has been in good form this year. He was the leading run-scorer earlier this year against South Africa in T20Is.
Ishan Kishan has opened the innings in 16 matches, scoring 508 runs at an average of 31.75. Along with Rohit Sharma, he has opened the innings in the format previously. They play the same role for the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League 2022 season and have been successful.
#3 Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant
Surprisingly for many, Rishabh Pant has opened the innings for India a couple of times this year. But, the experiment has so far not paid off for the Indian team. He hasn’t been able to make much of an impact batting up the order. In two matches, the left-handed batter has scored 27 runs at an average of 13.50.
However, Rishabh Pant is a brilliant T20 batter and is a match-winner for India. Many former cricketers and experts have opined that the wicket-keeper batter will prosper for India while opening the batting in T20Is. It allows him to take on the bowlers and set the game for India, while Rohit Sharma can play the second fiddle from the other end.
#2 Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav
Right-handed batter Suryakumar Yadav opened the innings for India in the first T20I against West Indies on Friday, July 29 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. He provided India a good start along with Rohit Sharma. The duo added 44 runs in just over four overs.
However, Suryakumar Yadav could not continue his batting exploits as he was dismissed for 24 runs off 16 deliveries. During his stay, he scored three boundaries and a six. It will be interesting to see, how long India continues with the experiment of Suryakumar Yadav at the top order. He can be an option for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 if things go well for him at the top of the order.
#1 Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Another possible opening combination for India could be the experienced batting duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The former Indian skipper has not been in the best of forms of late for India. He has struggled to consistently convert his starts into big scores. However, opening the innings might help him to get back to his best.
Virat Kohli has a decent experience of opening the innings. He has done it for India as well as the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Talking about his record for India while opening the innings, the 33-year-old has scored 278 runs in eight matches, at an average of 34.75, with eighty being his best score.
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