'The way Kohli batted in IPL, he deserves to...': Sunil Gavaskar on Virat's crucial role in T20 World Cup 2024 amid strike rate debate

In the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, a major talking point has been Virat Kohli's batting position. Some believe he should open the innings for India, fueled by his outstanding performance in IPL 2024, where he scored a whopping 714 runs and secured the Orange Cap. This approach is supported by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar. However, others advocate for a more traditional left-right opening combination. This would see Kohli remain in his usual position at No. 3 in the batting order. This debate comes on the heels of the recent ‘strike rate row’ surrounding Kohli's role in the T20 format, highlighting the ongoing discussion about how best to utilise his talents.

Sunil Gavaskar wants Virat Kohli to open in T20 World Cup

"Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as openers. The way Kohli has batted, particularly the second half of the IPL, he deserves to open the batting with Rohit Sharma, the captain. Seriously, good players are good players. They can bat anywhere, you know whether they're right and left hand," Gavaskar told Star Sports.

 

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Gavaskar further challenged the idea of needing a left-right opening combination. He argued that with Kohli in such good form, it wouldn't be ideal to have him wait in the dugout, implying that Kohli's current batting prowess outweighs the potential benefit of a left-right pairing at the top.

 

"So no, I don't think. It's very good to talk on television about left hand-right hand combination, good players are good players. In Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, you have got 2 terrific and 2 fantastic batters. The kind of form Kohli has shown in the IPL, he has to open the batting," he added.

 

"As he is in that flow, he is in that rhythm. You don't want Kohli to wait, even if it is for an over, or even 5 deliveries before he comes out to bat. It is a different feeling when you are walking out with someone to bat. There is a little bit of exchange that they will say let us get going, etc. Walking out alone is different than walking out with a partner," Gavaskar concluded.

 

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Sunil Gavaskar's suggestion for Kohli to open adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about the batsman's role in T20 cricket. This comes just weeks after a public back-and-forth between Gavaskar and Kohli regarding strike rate. Gavaskar, one of the few veteran cricketers critical of Kohli's approach, had previously questioned his performance. Kohli, however, responded in fiery fashion. He not only delivered a match-winning knock but also used his post-match interview to express frustration with his critics. The exchange continued, with Gavaskar responding to Kohli's comments about ‘outside noise’. Finally, in another post-match interview, Kohli took another jab at those criticising his strike rate.

 

Kohli will look to replicate his IPL 2024 form in T20 World Cup and help India end their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought by clinching the title this time around.

 

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