Before the start of the ongoing T20I series against Australia, India skipper Rohit Sharma had said that KL Rahul is their first-choice opener and will open at the T20 World Cup, however, he also added that they will try Virat Kohli as an opener in some games before the T20 WC to have options ready.
This statement from the Indian captain hasn’t sat well with former head coach Ravi Shastri who expressed his displeasure at Rohit and team management’s idea of having Kohli open in some game.
“I have had a chat with Rahul bhai [Dravid] that we will have to open with Virat in some matches because he is our third opener,” Rohit had said, before adding “KL Rahul, according to me, will play the World Cup, and open.”
KL Rahul will open with Rohit Sharma at T20 World Cup
Speaking on Star Sports during the 2nd T20I between India and Australia in Nagpur, Ravi Shastri lamented this communication from Rohit Sharma. The former coach reckons this will muddle KL Rahul’s mind and might make him insecure about his place in the side if the management is looking at Kohli as an opening alternative.
“I would want Rahul and Rohit. If there is an emergency or there is an injury, then it is fine. Otherwise, I feel that you need that depth in the lower middle order and the experience, especially in the Australian conditions where as a fast bowler you can get wickets in the middle over. There is enough bounce there and you can be aggressive and you can try and hustle out batters in those middle overs. So, you know, the experience of Kohli out there will be very important,” Shastri said.
The commentator further added: “And Rahul is batting beautifully at the top. Why cloud his imagination? Why confuse him? Why sow a seed in his mind that he might not be opening? You don’t want that. You want that guy to have clarity of thought, absolutely clear in his mindset that he is going to open and he is going to score and score big.”
KL Rahul hadn’t played a single T20I this year before the start of the Asia Cup where he largely struggled for rhythm. He finished the tournament on a positive innings- 62 vs Afghanistan. Rahul then played a good knock of 55 off 35 in Mohali against Australia, where he showed intent in the powerplay.
