'India are making a mistake by opening with Virat Kohli': Pakistan's T20 World Cup-winning member wants Rohit Sharma to change batting order

Former Pakistan wicektkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has pointed out a flaw in India's batting lineup ahead of the clash against Babar Azam's side in T20 World Cup 2024 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York. Akmal feels that Virat Kohli should not open alongside skipper Rohit Sharma as he may get stuck at some point. He wants Kohli to bat at no.3 and Yashasvi Jaiswal back in the side as opener.
 

"I don't think the batting order is correct. Virat Kohli can take the pressure at No.3 and finish the match. That is very important for Team India. Yashasvi Jaiswal should open the batting. Kohli should come at 3. If India sticks to this batting order (of Kohli) opening, then they may get stuck at some point. Kohli holds one end up and finishes off the game. I think India are making a mistake by opening with Kohli," Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
 

Kohli opened the innings for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 and won the Orange Cap. He scored 741 runs from 15 games at an average of 61.75 including one century and five half-centuries. His strike rate was 154.70. 
 

In India's T20 World Cup 2024 opener, he departed for a single-digit score against Ireland. Meanwhile, India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour had said that the team management will stick with Rishabh Pant at no.3 indicating that Kohli and Rohit will continue to open. Pant scored a half-century against Bangladesh in the warm-up game and remained unbeaten for 36 in the run chase against Ireland. 

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Pacers give advantage to India

Akmal further said that their pacers’ form will give them confidence having bowled at the same venue against Ireland.
 

"India will be confident. Bumrah bowled well, Siraj did well. Hardik Pandya also got wickets. They have three matches at the same venue, that will also be an advantage," the 42-year-old added.

 

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Pakistan top-order may get shuffled

On the other hand, Pakistan have stuck with Babar and Mohammad Rizwan as their opening pair despite having Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub in the squad. Babar struggled in the powerplay overs against the USA and scored just four runs from 14 balls. There have been reports that Ayub may replace an out-of-form Azam Khan in the side and Babar may get pushed to no.3 spot. 
 

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