IND vs IRE: Dark clouds loom large over Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma opening pair as Kiwi legend reveals inside secret

The Indian cricket team seems to be contemplating a new opening pair in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after Virat Kohli showed blazing form as an opener for the RCB and Yashasvi Jaiswal's struggle for consistency with RR in the IPL 2024.

The prospect of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma partnering with Kohli at the top of the order forms a formidable and destructive combination. This idea gained momentum when Jaiswal was overlooked for India's warm-up match against Bangladesh, while Sanju Samson partnered Rohit at the top of the batting order.

However, ahead of Team India’s opening game in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 against Ireland, former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull dropped a bombshell, as the commentator hinted at a potential delay in the Rohit-Kohli opening for the Men in Blue on Wednesday, June 5, in New York.

Doubts loom over Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma opening pair for India in T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Ireland

Doull recently shared his ideal batting lineup for the Indian cricket team against Ireland. The former Kiwi pacer said that Kohli and Sharma's exceptional skills make them the most suitable pair to open for the Men in Blue, but revealed that there are speculations surrounding Jaiswal.

The cricket expert further advocated for Rishabh Pant to bat at No. 3 to provide a left-hand batting option and add variety to the Indian batting lineup. Doull suggested that Suryakumar Yadav should follow at No. 4, offering stability and firepower to the Indian cricket team.

According to Doull, Surya should be followed by Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 5, 6, and 7, respectively, and this lineup aligns well with the strengths of Team India, but he claimed that the recent rumors suggested Jaiswal's potential inclusion in the playing XI.

Simon Doull backs Rishabh Pant to bat at No.3 for India in T20 World Cup 2024

The commentator speculated that if Jaiswal plays against Ireland, it might come at the expense of Dube, and that would really surprise him. However, he strongly backed Rishabh Pant to bat at No. 3 for India in the mega event, having already smashed an impressive fifty at this position in the warm-up game against Bangladesh in New York.

Simon Doull was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz: “My team would have Virat and Rohit opening the batting. They are the two best players to do that in this point of time and Rishabh Pant for a point of difference at 3 as a left-hand option. SKY at 4 and then you have Dube, Hardik, and Jadeja at 5, 6, and 7. It just sits quite nicely for me and the Indian line-up. If they go down that road, I think it's the best way.

I've heard rumors today that Jaiswal was the first into the nets. They've given him plenty of opportunity. That would surprise me if they bring him in. Who do they leave out? Shivam Dube? That would surprise me a touch. Well, I'm pleased they gave Pant a chance at No. 3 against Bangladesh. It worked well. Will they go with it again? I think they should.”