No Gill, Hardik: Selectors Sent "Kohli Should..." Advice For T20 World Cup

The T20 World Cup 2024 is just round the corner and the Indian cricket team selectors have a keen eye on the ongoing IPL in order to identify the right players for the competition. While several players are almost confirmed to find a place in the squad, questions still remain on the middle order and certain players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull believes that India should use Virat Kohli as an opener along with Rohit Sharma as this move will allow him to play more fast bowlers which can result in a great start for the team against tough opponents.

“I think Virat should open...100 per cent. I don't think he should bat at number three, because if he does, then Rinku Singh will miss out. And in my India starting XI, Rinku has to play. Therefore, Virat's got to open the batting. Now who he opens with, up to you. If it is Rohit Sharma or Jaiswal. But Kohli has to open, because in the modern game that is his best position. He hits the quick bowlers as good as anyone and he times the ball beautifully. Coming in and starting against spin is not his best option,” he said on Cricbuzz.

Doull added that although Yashasvi Jaiswal is in great form, it seems unlikely that he will find a place in the India playing XI for the World Cup. Instead, he suggested that Sanju Samson can bat at No. 3 followed by Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh and Ravindra Jadeja.

“It sounds stupid to me but if Jaiswal is out. But if that's the case, you could have Sanju at 3, Suryakumar at 4, Dube and Rinku at 5 and 6, Jadeja at 7,” he added.

The team suggested by Doull had couple of huge omissions in the form of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill. While he believes that other players may find a place in the team due to their recent form, Rinku Singh needs to be a constant for the side as he has performed superbly in the past year.