Rohit Sharma And KL Rahul Should Always Open, Don't Change That At All - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said that no matter what, India should always open with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in the shortest format.

The pair has been in brilliant form recently: have registered five consecutive opening partnerships of 50 runs or more, starting with the Afghanistan game in the T20 World Cup to the second T20I between India and New Zealand.

Aakash Chopra stated that the first two T20 World Cup matches should be forgotten – Rohit was out for a duck against Pakistan and Ishan Kishan opened with Rahul versus New Zealand – and that the duo should not be separated at the top for any condition.

“Rohit and Rahul should always open. These players have shown that one should forget Pakistan and New Zealand. There is both quality and quantity of runs here,” Aakash Chopra said in his YouTube video.

“Rahul with him, once again I will just reiterate, in my opinion, he is India’s best T20 batter. You should keep him up the order. Don’t change that at all – whether it is left-right, matchups or anything.”

Rohit Sharma is a beast when it comes to T20 cricket: Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator further hailed Rohit Sharma as a “beast” in the shortest format. The opener has been in thunderous form – he bagged the Man of the Series award against New Zealand for scores of 48, 55, and 56 in his maiden series as a full-time skipper. Rohit has slammed four centuries in T20Is – the most – and 26 fifties.

Aakash Chopra remained in awe of Sharma’s superbly timed pull shots.

“Rohit Sharma is a beast when it comes to T20 cricket. If he [Rohit] bats with an open mind and with freedom, no one can stop him. He hits the short balls in the stands and does that regularly. This series was in his name only, he came and destroyed the bowlers in every match,” the 44-year-old added.

Sharma has been rested from the upcoming 2-Test series against the Kiwis. However, he will return for the South Africa tour next month.

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