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Virat Kohli cleared the air over India’s opening combination for the T20 World Cup. Earlier this year, Kohli had said that he was open to start the innings with Rohit Sharma. Recently, Ishan Kishan also said that Kohli had told him that he has been picked as an opener despite the selectors’ statement on picking him as a floater. However, at the coin toss for India’s warm-up game against England, Kohli clarified that KL Rahul and Rohit will be open the innings for India in T20 World Cup.
“Things were different before IPL, now it's difficult to look beyond KL Rahul at the top of the order. Rohit is a no-brainer. World-class player, he's been solid up front. I will be batting at 3. That's the only news I can give to start off,” Kohli said at the toss.
IPL numbers
The Indian skipper opened the innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) alongside Devdutt Padikkal in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. As an opener, the 32-year-old scored 405 runs from 15 innings at an average of 28.92. He scored three half-centuries in the opening position as well.
On the other hand, Rahul was in terrific form scoring 626 runs from 13 innings at an average of 62.60 for Punjab Kings (PBKS). He finished third in the race of orange cap. The 29-year-old scored six half-centuries including an unbeaten 98 in PBKS’ last league game.
Rohit was not in the best of forms though. Opening for Mumbai Indians (MI), Rohit 381 runs from 13 innings at an average of 29.30. The MI skipper got good starts but was able to score just half-century in the season.
