As the T20 World Cup is around the corner, there are many discussions taking place about the Indian squad and their batting lineup. Cricketer Irfan Pathan has added his thoughts to the debate, particularly focusing on the opening partnership and Virat Kohli’s batting position.
Pathan believes that India should choose Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma as their opening pair due to their combination of left-hand and right-hand play. He emphasizes Jaiswal’s impressive international strike rate of 160, highlighting the need for power at the top of the order. If Kohli were to open, it would allow for a different combination of 11 players on the field, potentially providing opportunities for players like Shivam Dubey and Rinku Singh.
However, if Kohli were to bat at number three, Pathan sees challenges in maintaining the bowling strength in the squad. He suggests that having Jaiswal in the team could provide an additional bowling option, allowing for a more balanced playing XI with five proper bowlers.
In addition to this issue, Pathan also highlights a key problem in India’s current batting lineup – the lack of bowlers within the top six. He emphasizes that this factor must be taken into account when selecting the final team for the T20 World Cup.
In conclusion, Pathan suggests that India’s preferred batting order for the T20 World Cup should include Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma as openers with Virat Kohli coming in at number three. His insights offer valuable considerations for India as they prepare for this major tournament.