Former New Zealand speedster Simon Doull said that India will go with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's opening pair in their T20 World Cup opener clash against Ireland. Rohit and Virat's opening pair have the potential to be most destructive after the Sachin, and Sehwag duo.
There are speculations after the warm-up match against Bangladesh that Jaiswal will miss India's opener clash against Ireland because Rohit opened with Sanju Samson and the left-handed opener was not featured in that clash.
Former New Zealand cricketer backed Rishabh Pant to play at number three ahead of Suryakumar Yadav for a left-hand option in the batting order.
"My team would have Virat and Rohit opening the batting. They are the two best players to do that in this point of time and Rishabh Pant for a point of difference at 3 as a left-hand option. SKY at 4 and then you have Dube, Hardik and Jadeja at 5, 6 and 7. It just sits quite nicely for me and the Indian line-up. If they go down that road, I think it's the best way," Doull said on Cricbuzz.
Doull said that it would be a surprise for him if Jaiswal made it to the playing XI against Ireland because then there would be a lot of left-handed batters in the middle.
"I've heard rumours today that Jaiswal was the first into the nets. They've given him plenty of opportunity. That would surprise me if they bring him in. Who do they leave out? Shivam Dube? That would surprise me a touch."
India have five left-handed batters in the T20 World Cup squad including Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja.
"It was just a way of getting him into that side and splitting up that middle-order combination of left-left-left. I didn't know about Hardik Pandya at the start, so for me, it was where do I fit Rishabh Pant? Take away, let's say, him, Dube and Jadeja... all batting at 5, 6 and 7. And just giving the top order a little point of difference. I'm pleased they gave it a chance against Bangladesh. It worked well. Will they go with it again? I think they should," added Doull.
India's T20 World Cup 2024 Squad
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan
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