Virat Kohli: The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has been successful for Team India so far. They ended their group at the top and made it to the Super 8. Now they will be facing Afghanistan, Australia, and Bangladesh in the Super 8 stage. Their first fixture will be against Afghanistan on June 20 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. India will enter the game as favourites to win, but the biggest concern is the form of Virat Kohli.
The former Indian captain has been given the new role of opening the innings in this tournament. However, it hasn’t worked well for him or India, as Virat Kohli has registered three consecutive three-digit scores, which has never happened with him in the T20 World Cups. He has scored 5 runs in three innings and looked stuggling at the top. That has raised some eyebrows about his batting number, and many believe that Virat should bat at No. 3, which is his usual position.
T20 World Cup 2024: Michael Clarke backs Virat Kohli to open with Rohit Sharma in the Super 8
Virat’s opening the innings with Rohit Sharma has given a chance to India, where they can go with Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya together with Rishabh Pant at No. 3. It has worked out well for the team so far. But if Virat comes down to No. 3, then India will have to change their winning combination. That’s what 2015 World Cup-winning Australian captain Michael Clarke also feels. In an interview with Cricinfo’s Around The Wicket, Clarke backs Virat to open the innings.
He said that three small scores can’t define Virat Kohli. He said, “I think if they feel that’s their best 11, then keep him there. He has been playing on a pitch that has been tough for opening batters. I don’t think 3 low scores make any difference to Kohli. I wouldn’t be concerned about 3 low scores. All that means to me is that he is one step closer to making a big one. It’s the most important stage as well, where the best players usually stand up.”
Clarke also highlighted that Virat has batted as an opener in the IPL and has done well recently. He also feels that the conditions in New York were tough for batting, so that might be one of the reasons for Virat’s failure. Hence, Clarke added that the batting conditions in West Indies are better, and Virat can use them in the powerplay. The Indian captain also indicated that India would stick with Virat at the top. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli would be eager to get some runs under his belt in the coming game.
