India have benched designated opener Yashasvi Jaiswal against Ireland in T20 World Cup 2024. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opened for India.
New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal felt that India are going with the wrong batting order by making Virat Kohli opening the innings in the ongoing T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies. So far, India have played just one game with Kohli and Rohit Sharma opening the batting against Ireland. Designated opener Yashasvi Jaiswal warmed the bench. Although India won the game with ease, the ploy didn’t work out as Kohli could only manage just one run from five balls.
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The management’s decision to go with Kohli at the top helped them to include all-rounder Shivam Dube in the playing XI. With Kohli at the top, Rishabh Pant came in at No.3, followed by Suryakumar Yadav. Former wicketkeeper Akmal felt that Kohli should bat at one down as he can anchor the innings.
“I don’t think the batting order is correct. Virat Kohli can take the pressure at No.3 and finish the match. That is very important for Team India. Yashasvi Jaiswal should open the batting. Kohli should come at 3,” Akmal, who played 268 games for Pakistan, said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“If India stick to this batting order (of Kohli) opening, then they may get stuck at some point. Kohli holds one end up and finishes off the game. I think India are making a mistake by opening with Kohli,” he added.
Kohli had opened for his franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the recently-concluded IPL and emerged as the top run-getter in the tournament – 741 runs at a strike rate of 154. Although India start favourites on paper against Pakistan, there isn’t any when it comes to an India vs Pakistan clash.
“India will be confident. Bumrah bowled well, Siraj did well. Hardik Pandya also got wickets. They have three matches at the same venue, that will also be an advantage,” Akmal said. The 42-year-old was also very critical on the pitches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, which has been the talking point in the tournament for all negative reasons.
“ICC will have to produce better pitches for big matches. Otherwise, people will go away from this World Cup,” he said. India started their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with an easy win over Ireland while Pakistan were stunned by minnows and co-hosts USA.
