‘No Spot for Yashasvi Jaiswal; Kohli to Open for India in T20 World Cup 2024’ – Ex-NZ Cricketer

The T20 World Cup 2024 is lined up immediately after IPL 2024 ends. Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the other committee members are keeping a close eye on the players in the cash-rich league to pick the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Adding to the conversation, ex-New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has recommended to chief selector Ajit Agarkar that Virat Kohli be included in the squad as an opener for Team India, to allow Rinku Singh to feature in the playing 11.

In his 109 T20I innings for India, Kohli’s preference has been batting at No. 3 in 80 outings, where he’s amassed 3076 runs at an average of 53.96. This has been his stronghold across white-ball cricket formats.

Here’s what Simon Doull told Cricbuzz:

“I think Virat should open…100 per cent. I don’t think he should bat at number three, because if he does, then Rinku Singh will miss out. And in my India starting XI, Rinku has to play. Therefore, Virat’s got to open the batting.”

“Now who he opens with, up to you. If it is Rohit Sharma or Jaiswal. But Kohli has to open, because in the modern game that is his best position. He hits the quick bowlers as good as anyone and he times the ball beautifully. Coming in and starting against spin is not his best option,” he added.

Doull emphasized that the decision of who partners Kohli as an opener, whether Rohit Sharma or Yashasvi Jaiswal, rests with the selectors. According to Simon Doull, Virat Kohli is a must in India’s playing 11.