Will Virat Kohli open with Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup 2021? Deep Dasgupta answers

Although the ICC T20 World Cup is still four months away, there is already excitement and build-up to the global event as experts and fans have already started to give their verdict on what possible combinations will team India go for. Cricketer-turned-commentator Deep Dasgupta, however, feels it’s too early to comment on if Indian skipper Virat Kohli will open at the top with Rohit Sharma.

Kohli had opened in India’s last T20I series against England at home and had a good outing in the five-match T20I series. The 32-year-old also spoke about his plans to open in the subsequent Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup. Although he had a mixed outing while opening the batting for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the first of the IPL, Kohli is keen to bat at the top along with Sharma.

Deep stated that a lot hinges on how KL Rahul performs as well. While speaking on his YouTube channel, the former wicketkeeper-batter said, “Well it’s possible, and Virat also mentioned during the last series, that he’s seriously thinking about opening with Rohit, he might or whatever he said. But I don’t know whether it’s the right way to go about it. A lot will depend on how KL Rahul’s form is.”

Rahul was seen in stellar form last year in T20Is and also in the IPL while playing Punjab Kings. His ability to play sheet anchor role and giving India brisk starts upfront and has given the likes of Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja to attack from the word go.

Deep Dasgupta feels KL Rahul might open with Rohit Sharma at the top in the T20 World Cup

“If KL Rahul is batting the way he was a year ago then I don’t see any reason why Virat should open. Then Rohit and KL can open, and Virat can come at three… I won’t say Virat and Rohit ‘will’ open at this point in time, I will say that option is still is open,” he added.

The only glitch in Rahul’s batting is his strike-rate and his slow starts in the powerplay, which the experts feel might hurt India in steep run-chases. However, his recent run of good form augurs well for team India.