Virat Kohli might have to bat at top in some games, but KL Rahul will open at T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma

18.09.2022 - 12:51 timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Virat Kohli batting at the top alongside him is a "definite option" but India captain Rohit Sharma on Sunday made it clear that KL Rahul will remain his opening partner at the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.

Speaking to media ahead of the three-match T20 international series against Australia starting here on Tuesday, Rohit said the team management has absolute clarity on the role of each player in the squad.

The Australia series will be followed by three games against touring South Africa before India leave for the T20 World Cup Down Under.

Read AlsoT20 World Cup: KL Rahul should open, probably got more ability than Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, says Gautam GambhirDismissing suggestions that Virat Kohli should open the batting in the T20 World Cup, former India opener Gautam Gambhir has firmly backed KL Rahul to do the job, and said the out-of-form batter has "probably got more ability". "Rahul (Dravid) bhai and I have had a chat that we will have to make Virat open in some of the games because he is our third opener.

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The Indian cricket team is in Australia for the T20 World Cup, looking to win the title for the first time since MS Dhoni lifted the trophy in the maiden edition in 2007. The Indian team has come close a coupe of times, losing the final in 2014 and in the semi-final in 2016. But the team had a terrible outing in the tournament last year, failing to move past the Super 12 stage.

Team India's T20 World Cup-Bound Squad Departs For Australia. See Pic

Rohit Sharma-led Team India departed for Australia for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the early hours of Thursday morning. The 2007 champions will look to win the crown this year after failing to make the semi-finals last year. Before the World Cup, Team India managed to gain some momentum after defeating Australia and South Africa in the respective bilateral series and one now hopes that India are able to go all the way in the tournament.

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Rohit Sharma-led Team India might have won the T20I series against Australia and South Africa on home soil, however, there are some big concerns as the team gears up to take part in the T20 World Cup in Australia. If the side wants to win the marquee event, all three departments of the game need to work in unison, which has not happened for Rohit Sharma and co off late. Death bowling has emerged as one of the biggest concerns for the side, and with Jasprit Bumrah being ruled out of the tournament, one does not know how the side can fix the problem that is quickly turning out to be their achilles' heel.

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