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3 reasons why Virat Kohli opening the batting in T20Is is an advantage for Team India

By Renin Wilben Albert Modified 13 Sep 2022 Follow Us Comment Share Virat Kohli during the Asia Cup match against Afghanistan. Pic: Getty Images Team India batter Virat Kohli made an excellent return to international cricket after a short break during the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022. Having skipped the white-ball tours of West Indies and Zimbabwe, he returned as a rejuvenated player for the T20 event in the UAE. The 33-year-old ended up as the second-leading run-getter in the Asia Cup, smashing 276 runs in five matches at an average of 92 and a strike rate of 147.59. Beginning the tournament with a sedate 35 against Pakistan, he went on to register scores of 59* and 60 in Team India’s next two matches. He fell for a duck against Sri Lanka, but ended the event on a high, even as the Men in Blue failed to qualify for the final. Opening the batting against Afghanistan in the absence of skipper Rohit Sharma, he brought up a much-awaited ton, his first in international cricket since November 2019. Although the knock came against Afghanistan, it was a brilliant T20 innings nonetheless. In the wake of his batting resurgence in the Asia Cup, we look at three reasons why Kohli opening the batting for India in T20Is could be a good move.

#1 Kohli s form could be utilized to the maximum

Virat Kohli scored 276 runs in five matches in the Asia Cup. Pic: Getty Images It is often said that in T20 cricket, the team's best batters must face most deliveries. Until a few months back, Kohli wasn’t among India’s best batters, given his wretched form. However, he turned things around in sensational fashion during the Asia Cup. His century against Afghanistan had a stamp of authority all over it, as he dominated the opposition bowling. If we go back a little in time, Kohli opened the batting in the final T20I of the series against England at home in March 2021. He played a superb 80* knock off only 52 balls as India won the series 3-2. Following the wonderful effort, he proclaimed that he would be keen on continuing to open as T20s is about “two best players getting the maximum number of balls”. Somehow, the experiment died a natural death. Sportskeeda@SportskeedaVirat Kohli has the best innings per century ratio in international cricket

'UNREAL'

#ViratKohli #SachinTendulkar #SteveSmith #CricketTwitter #India #TeamIndia2542304Virat Kohli has the best innings per century ratio in international cricket 'UNREAL' #ViratKohli #SachinTendulkar #SteveSmith #CricketTwitter #India #TeamIndia https://t.co/46UZ0V3eBl In the wake of his brilliance in the Asia Cup, India have another chance to bring the ploy back into business. Some cricket experts too are of the same view. Former India batter Rohan Gavaskar told Sports18: “Look, in terms of should Virat be opening, I think it’s a great option. You look at his T20 numbers, they are outstanding. He averages about 55-57 and his strike rate is about 160. Those are phenomenal numbers. His last innings, again unbeaten innings of 122, tells you that he probably relishes opening as well.”

#2 KL Rahul hasn t inspired much confidence

KL Rahul has returned to international cricket after an injury layoff. Pic: Getty Images Without a doubt, India's vice-captain KL Rahul is a class act with the bat across the three formats of the game. However, he hasn’t looked in great rhythm even since making a return to international cricket after an injury layoff. Team India have only six T20I matches left before they head to Australia for the World Cup. Now is the time to take a tough call on the opening combination. If they persist with Rahul at the top of the order and he comes good in the home T20Is against Australia and South Africa, then well and good. However, if he doesn’t, Team India will then head into the ICC event Down Under with massive question marks hanging over their heads. It would be better if Kohli keeps opening the batting with Rohit in T20Is. Rahul can bat in the middle order and, hopefully, rediscover his touch before the World Cup comes around. He has batted in the middle order in the past, so it won’t be something new to him.

#3 India can alter their playing combination if need arises

Team India during the Asia Cup. Pic: Getty Images A big plus with Kohli opening the batting is that Team India can alter the playing combination as per their requirements if needed. That could even mean Rahul having to sit out if he doesn’t regain form. The Men in Blue could explore multiple options if Kohli opens. Suryakumar Yadav could occupy Kohli’s original slot - the No. 3 position. They could further accommodate an extra batter, bowler or all-rounder as per the opposition and conditions. Looking at the current makeup of the Indian team, some of the key players are bound to miss out. But if Kohli opens, then that could be adjusted to an extent. Sportskeeda@SportskeedaVirat Kohli is the only active player with + international centuries ?

#ViratKohli #joeroot #davidwarner #RohitSharma #SteveSmith #CricketTwitter #Australia #India #TeamIndia #England1599114Virat Kohli is the only active player with 7️⃣0️⃣+ international centuries ?#ViratKohli #joeroot #davidwarner #RohitSharma #SteveSmith #CricketTwitter #Australia #India #TeamIndia #England https://t.co/kBIJM9J6kL It would be unfair to totally rule out Rahul. He has been one of India’s star performers in recent years. However, keeping the T20 World Cup in mind, it is important to look at the bigger picture, which is what the team needs. In that sense, Kohli opening the innings in T20Is gives India's batting a much more balanced feel. Also Read: Team India squad for T20 World Cup: 3 players who were unlucky to miss out Get the Latest updates & News on T20 World Cup & Follow us for Live Scores, Schedule, and Squads Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Samya Majumdar × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ Be the first one to comment on this story More from Sportskeeda Fetching more content... 1 Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout No Results Found Get the free App now Manage notifications Popular ‍ Sports (30+) CricketCricket HomeScheduleT20 World CupT20 warm upIND vs SAENG vs PAKAUS vs ENGLegends LeagueECS T10 CroatiaWBBL 2022ECC T10SMAT 2022Bukhatir LeagueNZ T20 Tri-SeriesWomen's Asia Cup 2022ECT10 FootballFootball HomeNewslettersSK Experts ScheduleEPLNations LeagueLa LigaLigue 1Champions LeagueFIFA WCMLS Bundesliga Serie A WWEWWE HomeNewslettersRumor RoundupRAWSmackDownResultsRosterChampionsWWE Crown Jewel 2022PPV ScheduleAEW EsportsEsports HomeMinecraftOverwatch 2RobloxGenshin ImpactFortniteGTAStreamersFree FirePUBGValorantBGMIPop CultureAnimeGaming TechWiki Guides TennisTennis HomeTennis calendarTennis Results TodayATP RankingsWTA RankingsRoger FedererRafael NadalNovak DjokovicSerena Williams MMAMMA HomeUFC NewsONE ChampionshipUFC Fight NightScheduleRankingsResultsUFC Fights TonightONE Championship ResultsONE Championship ScheduleONE Championship Rankings KabaddiKabaddi HomePKL 2022PKL SchedulePKL Points TableKabaddi Rules WikiWiki HomeMinecraft WikiNaruto WikiTikTok WikiYoutube WikiGTA WikiTerraria WikiOne Piece Wiki MoreSportsBasketballIndian FootballNFLMinecraftFormula 1NascarPop CultureCollege FootballHockeyGolfAthleticsBadmintonGymnasticsWrestlingSwimmingTennisShootingBoxingArcheryWinter SportsRobloxFree PicksSkateboardingKho KhoLifestyle LINKS About Us Write For Us Policies Editorial Standards Journalism Awards Fact Check Affiliate Program Careers CSR Privacy Policy Contact Us Edition: English हिन्दी