'It Depends And It's Possible' : Salman Butt Dissects Virat Kohli's Probability Of Opening The Batting In The T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt has opined on Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s batting position in the ICC T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli hinted after the fifth T20I against England this year that he could open the innings and did so for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021. As for Salman Butt, he feels that the 32-year old could do whatever fits him, but underlined there are plenty of other options for India.

While Virat Kohli shone in the only T20I against England where he opened the batting, he could not consistently be in the runs in IPL 2021. The 32-year old made only one fifty in seven games in the lucrative league and struggled to get the runs flowing off his bat. While the men in blue have a few matches leading up to the T20 World Cup, it looks unlikely he would bat at the top, given Shikhar Dhawan’s sublime form.

Salman Butt suggested it’s possible Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli could open the innings as they are India’s best players; however, he underlined the Indian captain was not at his best while opening in IPL. Butt also argued that the men in blue already have a left-right combination set in Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. The 36-year old also opined that KL Rahul is another option who could perform the role.

“It depends and it’s possible. They (Rohit and Kohli) are India’s best players and Rohit Sharma anyway opens. Virat Kohli has been opening for his franchise, Royal Challengers (Bangalore in the IPL). But I feel we haven’t seen the best of him while opening the batting in international cricket recently. Moreover, they (India) have a left-hand-right-hand combination set. Shikhar Dhawan used to play earlier and lately, we have seen KL Rahul opening the batting,” Butt said in his Youtube channel.

If they play long, then every total is small for them: Salman Butt

Salman Butt claimed that India has plenty of options since Prithvi Shaw has thrown his hat in the ring, too; thus, it depends upon Kohli’s decision. The former Pakistan opener feels that if Virat and Rohit get the full quota of overs and bat throughout the innings, no total is enough.

“They have a lot of options. You have Prithvi Shaw and other players who have performed in the IPL, so you have loads of options. So, it comes down to what Kohli chooses for himself. Kohli and Rohit are their top players and they’ll get the full quota of overs. If they play long, then every total is small for them,” he added.

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