On Thursday, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started off the first T20I against Afghanistan at Mohali’s Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium. Rohit, leading India for his first T20I since November 2022, was sadly dismissed via run out on his second delivery due to a substantial misunderstanding with Gill.
Gill attacked the ball and hit five fours after the Indian skipper was dismissed. Nevertheless, he was stumped off by Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s bowling after being removed for 23 off 12. Left-handed batsman Tilak Varma was given another opportunity to bat at No. 3 but was removed for 26 off 22 balls since Virat Kohli was unavailable for the first Twenty20 International for personal reasons.
With a superb half-century, Shivam Dube (60* off 40) seizes his moment as Team India chases down a target of 159 in 17.3 overs. Jitesh Sharma, the keeper-batter, also contributed with 31 off 20 balls, while Rinku Singh scored 16 off 9 without losing his wicket.
Where Kohli should bat is a topic of discussion as he prepares to return for the second Twenty20 International against Afghanistan.
We examine three arguments against him starting the batting with Rohit in this segment.
1. India benefit from Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s left-right combo at the top
Yashasvi Jaiswal was supposed to open the batting with Rohit in the first T20I. Rahul Dravid, the head coach, shared this before the game. Yet, a sore right groin sidelined Jaiswal, handing Gill the opportunity to open with Rohit for this game.
Jaiswal could join Rohit as an opener for the second T20I, given he’s fit. They make a balanced left-right team and could be lively together. Jaiswal shows strong T20I performance, with 430 runs from 15 games at a 159.25 strike rate. His record includes a century and three half-centuries. As a left-handed player, he’s skilled at using powerplay to his advantage.
After the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit found himself out of the T20I side. Some said his batting technique was old-fashioned. His strike rate? Not impressive. However, he made an amazing switch as a starting batter in the ODI World Cup. His mission? To take on bowlers right from the start. Expect to see the same determination in the upcoming T20Is.
When Jaiswal and Rohit get going, they can exert a lot of pressure on the opposition bowlers. They also benefit from being a left-right combination, as was previously indicated.
2. Virat Kohli seems a better option at No. 3
In restricted overs, Kohli has performed at his best when he is positioned at No. 3, where he also appears to be most at ease. That’s not to argue the former skipper of India can’t be a successful opener. The 35-year-old is capable of doing so; in a previous T20I opening, he scored runs. However, India will probably gain more from having Kohli at No. 3 and Jaiswal and Rohit at the top.
In the powerplay, Jaiswal and Rohit may target the bowling, which will allow Kohli to take advantage of it. Even though Kohli possesses all the tools necessary to be a fantastic opener, it has been noted that he occasionally needs a few balls to get comfortable, which is something India cannot afford to happen during the powerplay.
If the Men in Blue get off to a fast start, he can enter at No. 3 with a solid foundation on which to grow.
3. No point in experimenting with the T20 World Cup just months away
Team India’s final T20I series will be against Afghanistan. This is the last task of this form before the World Cup. The World Cup will take place in the West Indies and the United States in June.
Notably, many Indian players will participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They will represent different franchises.
However, India only has two T20I matches remaining against Afghanistan. Therefore, there’s no use in experimenting. Virat Kohli should bat at number three and the typical openers in the top two positions for the Men in Blue.
At this point, any experimentation by India will simply cause further confusion, the last thing Rohit and company need as they attempt to break the irritating ICC curse.
