‘Every time they’ve opened, the partnership has been massive’ – Ravi Shastri opens up on prospect of Virat Kohli opening with Rohit Sharma

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI/Twitter)

Former India cricketer and head-coach Ravi Shastri responded to a rather interesting question posed by Ian Bishop on Virat Kohli opening with Rohit Sharma. It came after Kohli gave glimpses of his vintage best against Mumbai Indians, clobbering an unconquered 82 runs off 49 balls to guide his side to win their first game of the season.

Notably, the 34-year-old batter opened the innings alongside RCB skipper Faf du Plessis and raised 148 runs for the opening wicket. At the opposite end of the spectrum, not only did Rohit end up on the losing side, but also the Nagpur-born player hardly contributed with the bat as he got a mere run off ten balls to his name against RCB.

Despite that, the Mumbai Indians skipper has been at the helm of the batting line-up for the national team and has been instrumental in the position. 

While being on-air for JioCinema during the ongoing IPL, Bishop asked Shastri if the RCB batter should be slotted as an opener alongside Rohit in the national team. In response, Shastri did not entirely deny the possibility as the duo could add a lot of runs but provided the management’s angle to the pair. 

“Is the opening spot the place for him? There’s a lot of debate about it,” Bishop asked Shastri during the game on JioCinema.

“That’s always a possibility. But where India will probably look at, is that there is Rohit Sharma, there will probably be another left-hander. It might just get too top-heavy if Rohit and Virat open. But every time they’ve opened, the partnership has been massive,” told the former India coach.

The duo has never opened together in the One-Day format, however, they have been successful once in the shortest format. In 2021, Rohit (64 runs) and Kohli (80*) sent the cricketing world into a frenzy when they forged a 94-run opening partnership in the fifth T20I against England at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians are known to bounce back from their early setbacks and will aim to clinch two points against Chennai Super Kings on Saturday, April 8. RCB have got off to a blistering start to their campaign and the side will be raring to continue their fine form against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 6.