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The ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will kick off on June 2nd, 2024, co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies. Team India will begin their campaign in the world event on June 5th in a match against Ireland. Discussions regarding squad selection and playing combinations for the tournament are already underway. Notably, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Indian team.
Unveiling Rohit Sharma’s stellar record as an opener
Rohit is a formidable opening batsman across all formats, but his prowess is particularly destructive when leading the charge in T20 Internationals (T20Is) for Team India. In 116 innings as a T20I opener, he has amassed a staggering 3493 runs at a blistering strike rate of 143. This includes a record-breaking five centuries, the most by any batsman in the format. Furthermore, Rohit shares the record for the joint-most T20I centuries (3) scored as captain, a feat he currently holds alongside Pakistan‘s Babar Azam.
The King of consistency in T20 Internationals
Virat Kohli remains a dominant force in T20I cricket, holding the esteemed title of the format’s highest run-scorer. His impressive tally of 4,037 runs is a testament to his consistency, averaging a remarkable 51.75 with a strike rate of 139. Further solidifying his legendary status in T20Is, Kohli also boasts the record for the most fifties, with a staggering 37 to his name.
Also READ: Former selector MSK Prasad bats for a young pacer to feature in India’s squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Brian Lara makes a bold claim regrading India’s T20 World Cup openers
In a recent statement, West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara has suggested a possible shift in India’s opening combination for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Lara proposes that a young batter partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, prioritizing an aggressive and high-scoring powerplay. While acknowledging the established partnership between Rohit and Virat, Lara emphasizes the potential benefits of including at least one young player to bolster India’s opening attack.
“I think Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli going as openers to the West Indies will serve India very well. I think when you are picking your team and your batting order, you have to pick the team on the basis of what you want your players to do. It doesn’t matter who fills that spot. They have a job. If you want to score 70-80 in the first 6 overs, you have got to pick players to do so, it doesn’t matter the name of the players,” Lara said on Star Sports
“So, for me, they are great players (Rohit and Virat), I think though that you should have some youthful punch in the opening spot. One of the younger players, showing their mettle, showing what they are capable of and have one of those experienced players shepherd the innings in the middle order right through till the end. Having that experience up front, it could have a negative effect if they get dismissed early, so I will use one yes, but use the other at No. 3,” he added.
