IND vs AUS: "Why Cloud His Imagination, Why Confuse Him?": Ravi Shastri On Virat Kohli vs KL Rahul Debate For T20 World Cup

The debate of Virat Kohli vs KL Rahul for opening the innings is still going on. Many experts believe that Virat would be more lethal while opening. There’s no doubt that Virat has struck 5 centuries (4 in IPL for RCB) while opening the innings but the team needs someone who can provide the stability in the middle order. KL Rahul isn’t suited to that role as he is a natural attacking batter.

KL Rahul in the 1st T20I match against Australia smashed a half-century where he was looking ominous. There’s no doubt that KL Rahul has got the firepower to smash any bowler out of the park.

Rohit Sharma had said that they will try Virat Kohli as an opener; he had also said that Virat is our 3rd opener. It would be interesting to see whether Virat gets a shot at the top.

Ravi Shastri on Virat Kohli vs KL Rahul debate

Ravi Shastri was seen interacting with Star Sports and was asked about Virat Kohli opening the innings.

“I wouldn’t want that. I would want Rahul and Rohit. Only if there is an emergency or there is an 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 a fast bowler can get you wickets in the middle overs.

“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,” he said.

“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.” he concluded.

Crucial Phase for Indian Cricket Team

The management should keep one thing in mind that they should not tinker with the combination too much. We have seen that chopping & changing has been going on for quite a time now. The management in the 2nd T20I match gave a chance to Rishabh Pant and played both Karthik & Pant. This change can be a tactical one as there were only 8 overs of the match.

The team still has a long way to go where Head Coach Rahul Dravid & Captain Rohit Sharma would be aware steep challenges are awaiting them. The conditions & pitches in Australia would be blatantly different and boundaries too would be very long.

Also Read: IND vs AUS: Didn’t Expect To Hit It Like That – Rohit Sharma After Match-winning Performance In 6-Wicket Win Over Australia