'I wouldn't want that' - Ravi Shastri opposes idea of Virat Kohli opening for India

There has been discussions about whether Virat Kohli, the former captain of India, should bat at the opening position at the upcoming T20 World Cup ever since the ace batter notched up a century at the Asia Cup 2022 while opening the innings. While many experts have shared their opinion on it, former India head coach Ravi Shastri responded to the debate in a harsh way.

Rohit Sharma, the team's captain, and KL Rahul have typically opened for India. Before Rahul returned to the opening position in the Asia Cup, the management considered a wide range of choices for the opening spot given that he missed the entirety of India's summer schedule. And while the batter was having trouble regaining his rhythm, Kohli took advantage of his one and only opening opportunity in the tournament to record his first T20I century.

“I wouldn't want that. I would want Rahul and Rohit. Only if there is emergency or there is injury then it is fine otherwise I feel that you need that depth in the lower middle order and the experience especially in the Australian conditions where as a fast bowler you cab get wickets in the middle over. There is enough bounce there and you can be aggressive and you can try and hustle out batters in those middle overs. So you know the experience of Kohli out there will be very important,” Shastri said on Star Sports during the second T20I.

Rahul is batting beautifully at the top: Shastri

KL Rahul looked like he had found his mojo as he managed to smash two half centuries in his previous three T20Is. He crossed the 50-run mark in the final game of the Asia Cup against Afghanistan, and in the first T20I against Australia while batting at his usual place in the team, which is the opening slot. Shastri lauded Rahul’s game as he added:

“And Rahul is batting beautifully at the top. Why cloud his imagination? Why confuse him? Why sow a seed in his mind that he might not be opening? You don't want that. You don't want that guy to have clarity of thought absolutely clear in his mindset that he is going to open and he is going to score and score big.”