‘Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli open the innings, a left-arm spinner will…’: Irfan Pathan cautions drawbacks of not having left-hander as opener | Cricket News
Ahead of the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA India has a slight dilemma about their batting order. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma as openers would provide a left-hand right-hand option there is a school of thought that the team should open with Virat Kohli who has been in majestic form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli open the innings, a left-arm spinner will come in straight away, and you need to counter that. Without a left-hand batter, you will struggle, especially in a big game,” former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan would analyze on Star Sports.
“But if Virat bats at number 3, it opens the slot for Jaiswal. A right-hand, left-hand combination is crucial, especially when the ball is moving or spinning. Most teams have left-arm spinners who can take the ball away from right-handers. This is why you need a left-hander at the top of the order,” Pathan added.
Would have gone with younger core
Another former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar though said he would have gone completely with a “younger core set of players” but since Kohli and Rohit are in the squad there is no choice for the Indian team but to open with them.
“It is impossible to have Virat Kohli batting at number 3, because then you don’t get the full value of Virat. And Rohit Sharma, as well, has to open. So, India, in a way, have forced itself to have only one kind of combination, two right-handers. Unfortunately, Jaiswal will have to sit out,” he said.
“I would have gone completely with a new lot; then, you would have had a lot more flair and it would be something different. India have trusted the seniors, a move that hasn’t worked over the years. Let’s hope it works this time,” Manjrekar concluded.
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