'Selectors have committed themselves to the icons' - Sanjay Manjrekar hints at forced change in India's T20 World Cup opening pair

Indian team has reached the United States of America for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. As the team braces for their opening game against Ireland on June 5, all eyes are on India’s opening pair. While Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the premier openers for India, several pundits feel Virat Kohli should open the innings with Rohit. Kohli has been opening for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL for some time now and the batter has done commendably well. 

Kohli is the leading run scorer in IPL with over 9,000 runs. Former India cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar has reasoned the icon factor that has forced selectors to go with Rohit and Kohli as openers. He also added that it is unfortunate for young players like Yashasvi Jaiswal to bat down the order owing to the stature of Kohli in the playing XI.

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“Ideally, I would not have gone that way (selecting senior players over youngsters). I would have stuck with a slightly younger core set of players. But the selectors have committed themselves to the icons - Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Now that they are in the squad, it is impossible to have Virat Kohli batting at number 3, because then you don't get the full value of Virat. And Rohit Sharma, as well, has to open,” said Manjrekar speaking in Star Sports Press Room.

“So, India, in a way, have forced themselves to have only one kind of combination, two right-handers. Unfortunately, Jaiswal will have to sit out. I would have gone completely with a new lot; then, you would have had a lot more flair and it would be something different. India have trusted the seniors, a move that hasn't worked over the years. Let's hope it works this time,” he added.

I would like to have a left-hander for sure as an opener: Irfan Pathan

On the other hand, former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan emphasised having a left and right combination as the opening pair. Therefore, backing Jaiswal to open the innings with Rohit. Historically, India have leveraged the aforementioned combination as pairs of Gautam Gambhir-Virendra Sehwag, Rohit Sharma-Shikhar Dhawan have contributed to India’s ICC silverware wins. However, of late the story has been different with a lack of left-handed options in the top-order in multi-team events.

“I would like to have a left-hander for sure, opening the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli open the innings, a left-arm spinner will come in straight away, and you need to counter that. Without a left-hand batter, you will struggle, especially in a big game. I understand what Sanjay bhai is saying; many experts want Virat Kohli to open because of what he provides as an opener and his recent improvement in strike rate, playing with the extra risk needed in T20 cricket,” said Pathan.

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“But if Virat bats at number 3, it opens the slot for Jaiswal. A right-hand, left-hand combination is crucial, especially when the ball is moving or spinning. Most teams have left-arm spinners who can take the ball away from right-handers. This is why you need a left-hander at the top of the order,” he added.