NEW DELHI: Although India failed to win the 2022 Asian Cup, talismanic striker Virat Kohli’s return to form has brought great joy to Indian fans. He was testy shooting 35 in his 100th T20I against Pakistan. But as the tournament progressed, its fluidity kept increasing.
After two half centuries and a duck, Kohli slammed a sensational, career-best 122* against Afghanistan, ending their century-long drought on 1020-day formats. That effort, which had fans frenzied, came as he opened the baton with KL Rahul while captain Rohit Sharma chose to rest to sign the 2022 Asian Cup in style.
Now the former Indian cricketer Rohan Gavaskar believes Kohli opening the stick can become a huge option for the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
“Look, as far as opening Virat, I think he’s a great option. You look at his T20 numbers, they’re exceptional. He’s averaging around 55-57 and his strike rate is d ‘about 160. These are phenomenal numbers.’
“His last innings, again undefeated innings of 122, tell you that he is probably relishing the opener too. If memory serves, he wanted to open or he said he wanted to open in the Indian T20 league ( IPL) in this edition or last edition he said that’s where I want to be. So obviously that’s something he wants to do. So that’s definitely a great option for l ‘Indian team’, said Gavaskar on the show “Sports Over The Top” on Sports18.
With Kohli again showing signs of his former dominant self, opening the bat with him will mean KL Rahul, whose approach with the bat in T20Is was unimpressive, will have to give up the XI, with Suryakumar Yadav pushed to three . , something that Gavaskar says might just be a possibility.
“It opens up those options and you’re right, SKY (Suryakumar) at bat at number 3 is a nice thought. But I have to say if Virat opens up he’s shown what a huge success he is as a player. opener. That means one of my favorite players will have to make way for KL Rahul.”
“Because KL Rahul, I’ve said it before, that’s an absolute class act. So look, it’s one of those tricky situations, but SKY at number 3, I think that’s what we want. His numbers, you know that and as rightly said, he’s one of the best hitters in the T20.”
India’s next game in this format will be the first of three T20Is against Australia on September 20 in Mohali.
After two half centuries and a duck, Kohli slammed a sensational, career-best 122* against Afghanistan, ending their century-long drought on 1020-day formats. That effort, which had fans frenzied, came as he opened the baton with KL Rahul while captain Rohit Sharma chose to rest to sign the 2022 Asian Cup in style.
Now the former Indian cricketer Rohan Gavaskar believes Kohli opening the stick can become a huge option for the squad ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
“Look, as far as opening Virat, I think he’s a great option. You look at his T20 numbers, they’re exceptional. He’s averaging around 55-57 and his strike rate is d ‘about 160. These are phenomenal numbers.’
“His last innings, again undefeated innings of 122, tell you that he is probably relishing the opener too. If memory serves, he wanted to open or he said he wanted to open in the Indian T20 league ( IPL) in this edition or last edition he said that’s where I want to be. So obviously that’s something he wants to do. So that’s definitely a great option for l ‘Indian team’, said Gavaskar on the show “Sports Over The Top” on Sports18.
With Kohli again showing signs of his former dominant self, opening the bat with him will mean KL Rahul, whose approach with the bat in T20Is was unimpressive, will have to give up the XI, with Suryakumar Yadav pushed to three . , something that Gavaskar says might just be a possibility.
“It opens up those options and you’re right, SKY (Suryakumar) at bat at number 3 is a nice thought. But I have to say if Virat opens up he’s shown what a huge success he is as a player. opener. That means one of my favorite players will have to make way for KL Rahul.”
“Because KL Rahul, I’ve said it before, that’s an absolute class act. So look, it’s one of those tricky situations, but SKY at number 3, I think that’s what we want. His numbers, you know that and as rightly said, he’s one of the best hitters in the T20.”
India’s next game in this format will be the first of three T20Is against Australia on September 20 in Mohali.