‘Start the template now’ - Aakash Chopra advocates for Virat Kohli's new role in T20I

The anticipation for Virat Kohli’s return to T20Is is quite high as the star batter is set to make his first appearance in the shortest format since the semi-final defeat at the hands of England in T20 World Cup 2022. He is in remarkable form at the moment as the 35-year-old was the leading run-scorer in the ODI World Cup 2023, and did reasonably well in the Test series against South Africa. 

Meanwhile, analysing his return to T20I cricket, former cricketer Aakash Chopra stated that Kohli should partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. He believes that the Delhi-born batter has a unique template and that he takes some time to settle down. He thus advised that if Kohli bats in the powerplay, he will get a good opportunity to get a rapid start, which will benefit the team.

“If you see the entire World Cup, Virat Kohli has a playing style and he scores a lot of runs when he follows that template. Even in T20s, he rarely starts hitting fours and sixes from the first ball. He takes his time. If he has to run at a strike rate of 150, he does that in the powerplay,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

“In New York or the West Indies, the pitches will be such that there will be more chances of runs getting scored in the first six overs. So ideally you want Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to be together from the start. If you have to follow that template, start it now,” the 46-year-old added.

I want Suryakumar Yadav to bat at number three: Chopra

Chopra opened up on the complexity of the Indian batting unit at the moment. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill also in the mix, it’s unclear about the path that the team management will follow. If Virat is asked to bat at number three with either Jaiswal and Gill opening, it will force Suryakumar Yadav to bat at number four, which according to Chopra isn’t a good idea as he is the number-one ranked T20I batter in the world at the moment.

“So if Yashasvi is available, you will get him to open. However, if you get Yashasvi to open, my problem is not only about Kohli at No. 3. I don't want to keep Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4. I want him at No. 3. Suryakumar Yadav is India's No. 1 T20 batter. So I want him at No. 3 and I want to give him time to drive the game,” Chopra said.