From opening with Virat Kohli to India's playing XI, Rohit Sharma answers it all in press conference ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma did not deny that there is a chance he will open the innings with Virat Kohli in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies. At the press conference in Mumbai, Rohit also said that he will be flexible with the playing eleven in the mega event. 
 

In the press conference, he was asked whether he’ll open with Yashasvi Jaiswal or Kohli, he replied, "All the options are open".
 

Kohli has been opening the innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He is in the race to win the Orange Cap. The former Indian skipper has scored 500 runs from 10 games at an average of 71.43 including one century and four half-centuries. His strike rate is 147.41. 
 

There were questions over Kohli’s strike rate as well. When the question was asked, Rohit started laughing whereas chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that there have been no discussions regarding the matter.
 

“I don’t think we have been discussing it. He has been in great form, no concerns at all. You are still going to a world cup, there is still gap there. That’s where experience does matter a lot. If the tournament turns out like the IPL. If 220 plays like 220, we have the skills. At the end of the day when you turn up for a WC the pressure is different,” Agarkar said.

 

ALSO READ: 'There are no replacements for things he can do': Ajit Agarkar quashes reports of Hardik Pandya losing vice-captaincy to Rishabh Pant ahead of T20 World Cup 2024
 

‘Dube will bowl’

While Rohit said that he will look at the opposition and conditions before choosing his team combination, he also said that he expects Shivam Dube to bowl even though he hasn't bowled much in the IPL 2024 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He wants to give Dube a similar role to that of Hardik Pandya. 
 

“Shivam hasn’t bowled in IPL (barring one over against Punjab Kings) but he’s a seasoned cricketer who’s bowled a lot in red-ball. When he plays in t20, it is about skills coming into the picture. Such players have chances of success. If we need Shivam to bowl few overs he will be,” he said. 
 

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