Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star batter currently holds the Orange Cap with 661 runs to his name in 13 innings so far in the campaign. Despite many questions being raised about his ‘slow batting’ in IPL, Kohli has a strike rate of 155.16, while averaging an astounding 66.10.
Another debate ragging has been the position – where Kohli will bat for India at the T20 World Cup. Will he open or bat at number three?
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Former Australia captains, Aaron Finch and Tim Paine weighed in on the debate.
Paine feels Kohli is best suited as an opener.
“I certainly would [have Kohli open]. I think Virat Kohli has earned the right to bat wherever he wants, particularly when he’s in this kind of form. Virat is an experienced player and I’m sure they will be having conversations but whether he bats one, two or three will worry him too much. Having said that if I was the selection or coach in that team, I would want my best player, the best player in red-hot form, I would want him facing as many balls as possible so I’ll try and slot him back at the top,” Paine was quoted as saying on the ‘Around the Wicket’ podcast.
Finch though feels Kohli should bat at no. 3 and backed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma to open the innings for India.
“There was so much talk around it at the start of the tournament. Will he be in the World Cup squad so to be able to put that aside and go out there and do his job… like you said striking at 155 is the highest he has struck in throughout his career so it’s a great point. He is just a brilliant player. I love watching him play. The way that he dissects a run chase is extraordinary. But I would still keep him at 3,” Finch said.
“I think the stability of him at 3 just creates an environment for everybody else around to play their natural game. And you’ve got Jaiswal who can hit them out of the park. He can give them a flyer. I am just not sure whether Virat and Rohit at the top would create that dynamic approach that you need in West Indies,” he added.
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