Former Team India bowler RP Singh believes senior hitter Virat Kohli should be Rohit Sharma’s opening partner in the next 2024 T20 World Cup. He advised that the Men in Blue put the in-form Kohli at the top of the order rather than Yashasvi Jaiswal.
RP Singh also suggested that both keeper-batters Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant might be included in India’s playing XI for the final, with the former batting at No. 3.
During a discussion with IndiaToday.in, the cricketer-turned-commentator shared his ideal batting order.
“If you ask me, then I would want Virat Kohli to open with Rohit Sharma. Sanju Samson should bat at No. 3. 100 percent. They both can play as in the XI. You can play Suryakumar Yadav at 4, Rishabh Pant at No. 5 and Hardik Pandya at No. 6. It depends on the team combination also. The captain and coach should take the coach. We need such a line-up.”
RP Singh
Singh also supported all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who had a disappointing IPL 2024 as MI captain, to turn things around at the T20 World Cup. He emphasized how important Pandya will be to the team’s balance, saying:
“What is important as a player? Your commitment and your performances. He tried his best even in the IPL. He was bowling four overs. That’s very important. Hardik Pandya’s performance will be crucial especially when it comes to the balance of the team. If he is finds good form early, it will help the team.”
RP Singh
The Rohit Sharma-led side has begun practicing in New York ahead of the ICC tournament. They will face Bangladesh in the tournament’s lone warm-up match on Saturday, June 1.
“When it comes to big matches, Virat Kohli has always stepped up” – RP Singh
RP Singh also discussed how Team India performed incredibly well at the 2023 ODI World Cup last year. The team entered the final on a 10-match winning run. They did, however, suffer a crushing six-wicket defeat to Australia in the top showdown.
The 38-year-old feels the setback will inspire Indian players. He also heaped high admiration on Virat Kohli, highlighting how the batter has frequently delivered on the big stage, saying:
“100 percent it will motivate them, they played superbly throughout the tournament. In the end, they lost just one match. Even in the IPL, their performances have been good. Virat Kohli won the Orange Cap. They are impact players. When it comes to big matches, Virat Kohli has always stepped up. So they will do well in the big tournament.”
RP Singh
Kohli looked in excellent form at the just ended IPL 2024. He won the Orange Cap, scoring 741 runs in 15 innings with a strike rate of 154.69.
On June 5, India will face Ireland in New York to kick up its 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
