IND vs BAN: Sourav Ganguly breaks Rohit Sharma's opening partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal to accommodate his enemy Virat Kohli

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will form the best possible opening combination for India at the T20 World Cup 2024.

All three of the above-mentioned names were a part of the recently concluded Indian Premier League 2024 season. While Ganguly was serving as the Director of Cricket for the Delhi Capitals, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were operating as opening batters for Bengaluru and Mumbai. While Rohit and Ganguly's team finished in the bottom half, Kohli's RCB exited the edition after losing the Eliminator.

Now the attention has shifted to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 where Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be team India's senior players. The duo will have the onus of playing a part in helping the Men in Blue claim their first international ICC trophy since 2013's Champions Trophy in England.

Expectations will be higher from Kohli as he was the highest run-getter in IPL 2024 as well as the previous T20 World Cup edition in Australia.

Why does Sourav Ganguly want Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma up top?

While speaking to RevSportz in an exclusive interview, Sourav Ganguly shed light on various things, and among them was India's opening combination. While many have suggested going with the pairing of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal due to the right-hand-left-hand combination there are also some suggestions that Virat Kohli should be the one to open with Rohit.

Those who are backing Rohit-Jaiswal up top, know just how lethal the duo can be on their day. Both of the batters are proven in terms of starting the innings off in an aggressive manner as both of them are capable of stretching their arms and taking the bowlers to the cleaners.

However, there is another school of thought that says Virat Kohli's current form at the top should be utilized by the Indian team management. That he is coming at the back of a 700+ run season and he has the momentum with him. Therefore, Kohli should pair with the Indian skipper.

Sourav Ganguly backed Virat Kohli to open after seeing the batter's performance in the second half of IPL 2024. The former BCCI President feels that Kohli should be able to bat with freedom just like he did in the Premier League. That will give India a very good chance of clinching the T20 World Cup at last.

"I would open with Virat and Rohit. I want Virat to bat the way he did for RCB in the second half of the IPL. He has to bat with freedom. Needless to say, he is a great player, but for India to do well, Virat will have to bat with freedom like he did in the IPL. So my choice would be Virat and Rohit at the top of the order." - Sourav Ganguly said via RevSportz.

India to play Bangladesh later tonight

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue under Rohit Sharma are all set to play their only warm-up game for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 against Bangladesh. Virat Kohli's participation is still not confirmed but the match will be underway at the Nassau Stadium, New York from 8:00 PM (IST) onwards.