With his exceptional performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Virat Kohli has reignited the debate about the possibility of him opening the batting for India at the T20 World Cup. Kohli’s remarkable consistency and impressive strike rate while opening for Royal Challengers Bangalore have made many believe that he could be a potent force at the top of the order for the national team as well.
Kohli has a proven track record of success as an opener in international cricket. His only century for India in the shortest format came while opening against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup last year. In nine innings at the top, he has amassed 400 runs at an average of 57.14, with a strike rate of 161.29—significantly higher than his strike rate of 135.26 when batting at No. 3.
Kohli’s success as an opener in the IPL further strengthens the case for his promotion up the order in the Indian team. In 12 innings this season, he has notched up six half-centuries, amassing 634 runs—the fourth time he has surpassed 600 runs in an IPL season. His strike rate of 153.51 while opening is also impressive, indicating his ability to score quickly and aggressively from the outset.
However, the decision to open with Kohli is not without its complexities. India already has a formidable opening pair in Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, who have been highly successful in recent times. Promoting Kohli to the top of the order would mean displacing one of these two established openers, potentially disrupting the team’s balance.
Moreover, there is the question of whether India would benefit more from Kohli’s presence in the middle order. Kohli is known for his ability to anchor the innings and build partnerships, which could be crucial in the middle overs, especially if India loses early wickets.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to open with Kohli at the T20 World Cup will depend on several factors, including the team’s overall strategy, the conditions of the tournament, and the form of the other batsmen in the squad. However, Kohli’s impressive IPL form has undoubtedly put him in the frame for a potential promotion up the order, and it will be intriguing to see if the Indian team management takes the bold step of fielding him as an opener in the marquee event.
