"Definite Option For Us": Rohit Sharma On Virat Kohli Opening In T20 World Cup
NDTV
India vs Australia: Ahead of the first T20I, India captain Rohit Sharma weighed in on whether Virat Kohli can be utilised as an opener in the shortest format
Rohit Sharma-led Team India will square off against Australia next in a three-match T20I series, beginning Tuesday in Mohali. It would be interesting to see whether the hosts continue with same level of experimentation that was on display during the Asia Cup, where the side failed to make it to the final of the continental tournament. Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel have recovered from their injuries, so that is an added bonus for Team India. Skipper Rohit Sharma on Sunday addressed a press conference where he spoke about what to expect and whether Virat Kohli can be looked at as an opener in the shortest format.
"It is always nice to have options available for you. It is important going into a World Cup that you have flexibility. You want the players to be in best shape batting at any position. When we try and do something new, that does not mean that's a problem," said Rohit during a press conference.
"For us, we understand the quality of all our players and what they bring for us. But yeah, it is an option (Virat Kohli opening) for us, we will always keep that in mind. Since we have not taken a third opener, he opens for his franchise in the IPL and he has done really well, so it is a definite option for us," he said further while talking about whether Kohli can be looked at as an opener.
Further talking about Virat opening the batting, Rohit said: "Virat Kohli is our third opener and he will open in some of the games. In the last match of Asia Cup, we were happy with the way he played. But KL Rahul will open the batting in the World Cup, we do not want to experiment with that position a lot, his performance sometimes goes quite unnoticed."
"He is a very important player for Team India. For us, I just want to make it clear, we are clear in our thought process. We do not have any confusion, we are very clear what KL Rahul brings to the table for us, he is a quality player and is very important for us. His presence at the top is very crucial for us," said the 35-year-old.
