Mathew Hayden and Virat Kohli. (Source -Getty Images)
Matthew Hayden suggested that Virat Kohli should open for India alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA next month.
Kohli has been in scintillating form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and is the leading run-getter with 634 runs from 12 matches at an average of 70.44 and a strike rate of 153.51. He has opened the batting and registered five fifties and one century so far this season. In India’s 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup, Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Rohit Sharma are the specialist openers. Kohli is likely to come into bat at No. 3. However, legendary Australian opener Hayden wants the Delhi batter to open with Yashasvi. The cricketer-turned-commentator picked Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit as the No. 3 and No. 4 batters, respectively.
“If you have to make a change in that combination, I would be very happy if you would tell me if I could open with Kohli and Jaiswal, I would have said absolutely yes,” said Hayden while speaking to Star Sports.
“Then I would slot Suryakumar Yadav at 3 and Rohit at No.4. And that top four, in my opinion, is the right combination. The reason I say that is Virat is a master of the first six. And once the power hitting comes into play, there are other great options including Rohit. Look at his figures at No. 4, they are superb. Those are better than his opening numbers,” Hayden added.
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024: Sourav Ganguly advises India to open with Virat Kohli
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma struggle in IPL 2024
Yashasvi had a fabulous IPL season last year. However, this year, he has not been able to showcase his full potential. In 11 matches, the southpaw has scored just 320 runs at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 157.64. The Rajasthan Royals batter has only one fifty and one century to his name.
Meanwhile, Rohit started the tournament quite well for the Mumbai Indians but his performances have alarmingly tapered off in recent games. In 13 matches, the right-handed batter has aggregated 349 runs from 13 matches at an average of 29.08 and a strike rate of 145.42. His only big innings came against Chennai Super Kings when he scored a century in a losing cause.