Virat-Rohit or Rohit-Yashasvi? - Matthew Hayden suggests His Preferred Openers For India at T20 World Cup

Following Virat Kohli's explosive 47-ball 92 against the Punjab Kings in IPL 2024, discussions regarding his batting position for the upcoming T20 World Cup have gained momentum, with cricketing legends expressing their views.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly lent his support to Kohli's potential role as an opener, citing his exceptional form in the IPL. Ganguly stated,

Sourav Ganguly On Virat Kohli

"Virat's phenomenal performances in the IPL suggest he's well-suited to open for India in the T20 World Cup."

Hayden on India's openers

In contrast, Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden initially expressed reservations about Kohli's suitability as an opener for India. Hayden emphasized the importance of maintaining a right-left combination at the top of the order, saying,

"No, they shouldn't do that. You definitely need a left-right combination at the top."

However, Hayden quickly proposed an intriguing alternative, suggesting a reshuffle in the batting order.

He elaborated, "If you have to make a change in that combination, I would be very happy if you would tell me if I could open with Kohli and Jaiswal, I would have said absolutely yes."

Hayden further outlined his suggested lineup, advocating for Kohli to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3 and Rohit Sharma at No. 4. He emphasized Kohli's prowess in the powerplay overs and Rohit's success batting lower down the order.

Regarding Rohit Sharma's adaptability, Hayden highlighted,

"Look at his figures at No. 4, they are superb. Those are better than his opening numbers."

As the T20 World Cup approaches, the debate surrounding Kohli's optimal batting position adds an intriguing dimension to India's strategy and selection discussions, with opinions divided among cricketing experts.