Former cricketer Rohan Gavaskar has backed Virat Kohli to open the innings for India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022, scheduled to take place in Australia next month. The BCCI on Monday, September 12, announced a 15-member squad for the marquee T20 competition.
Incidentally, Kohli scored a fine hundred while opening the innings in the absence of Rohit against Afghanistan on Thursday, September 8, in Dubai. He finally ended his century drought, which lasted for almost three years.
The unbeaten 122-run knock has reignited debates about the talismanic batter opening for India in the marquee T20 competition Down Under. In the wake of it, Rohan Gavaskar feels that Virat Kohli should be given more chances of opening the innings for the Men in Blue in T20s.
“Look, in terms of should Virat be opening, I think it’s a great option. You look at his T20 numbers, they are outstanding. He averages about 55-57 and his strike rate is about 160. Those are phenomenal numbers. His last innings, again unbeaten innings of 122, tells you that he probably relishes opening as well,” Gavaskar said in an interaction with Sports18.
“If memory serves me right, he wanted to open or he said he wanted to open in the Indian T20 league in this edition or the last edition, he said that’s the spot I want to be. So, it’s obviously something that he wants to do. So, it’s definitely a big option for the Indian team,” he added.
KL Rahul will have to make way for Virat Kohli – Rohan Gavaskar
Rohan Gavaskar feels that Suryakumar Yadav can be a great option at number 3 in the bating lineup. However, Virat opening means that KL Rahul will have to make way.
“It does open up those options and you’re right, SKY batting at number 3 it’s a pleasing thought. But I have to say if Virat opens, he showed what a tremendous success he is as an opener. It means one of my favourite players will have to make way which is KL Rahul,” he added further.
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