The excitement about the T20 World Cup 2024 is felt as fans around the world prepare for another exciting display of skill, strategy and pure athleticism. As the cricketing fraternity gathers on the sun-drenched beaches of the Caribbean and the iconic skylines of American cities, expectations rise to extraordinary heights.
The race to be Rohit Sharma’s opening partner
The fans are excited Team India to break their ICC trophy drought that has lasted since 2013 when they won the Champions Trophy. Despite reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, India lost Australia.
The race is now over Rohit SharmaThe opening partner of the upcoming mega event has gained momentum with former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan And Mohammad Kaif They throw their weight behind a young batsman.
Irfan Pathan names his choice
What is noteworthy is that many fans are expecting the veteran and former captain of the Indian national team Virat Kohli partnering Rohit at the helm. Kohli was in top form as he opened the batting line-up Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, Pathan and Kaif have a different opinion and have chosen the young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rohit’s partner.
Pathan highlighted Jaiswal’s left-handed batting style as a strategic advantage over the usual tactic of starting with a left-arm spinner. Pathan argued that by having a left-handed opener, India could counter the opposition’s strategy more effectively as Jaiswal’s aggressive approach could neutralize the threat of left-handed spinners.
“This is a question that has been bandied about many times. It should be Yashasvi Jaiswal – since he is a left-handed batsman, from a bowling perspective a team starts with a left-arm spinner and when that happens you can actually play those two batters. When Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli open, they can be kept secret for a while as there has been a lot of talk about it. If you do that, the game is lost, especially at the start, and that’s where a left-handed batsman comes in: Yashasvi Jaiswal. He is aggressive and will also take on the threat of left-arm spinners. So I think Yashasvi should start with Rohit Sharma.” Pathan said on Star Sports.
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Mohammad Kaif reveals his choice
Kaif also advocated that Jaiswal should open alongside Rohit with Kohli playing at number three. Kaif highlighted Kohli’s track record at number three in ICC events and suggested that he is best suited for the position given his experience and ability to anchor the innings. By positioning Kohli at number three, the former Indian cricketer believed that India would be able to keep the pressure on their opponents, knowing full well that a batsman as impressive as Kohli was still a long way off.
“I would see Jaiswal and Rohit as openers as Kohli needs to be there at number three. Despite competing in the IPL, Kohli has done well at number three in ICC events. They need someone who has experience at number three and can assert themselves. With Yashasvi opening and Kohli in the dugout, the opposition team will be under pressure with Virat still coming out to bat. If he opens up and the opposition gets him out, it will be a big confidence boost for them. “Jaiswal will attack from the first ball and Rohit Sharma will also attack in the powerplay, then it should be like this: Jaiswal, Rohit and Virat Kohli at number three.” Kaif said.