T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma to be demoted in batting order? Ajay Jadeja shocks cricket world

Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja suggested a change in the batting lineup for the Men in Blue in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA in June. Ajay Jadeja stated that ace batter Virat Kohli should open for India instead of Rohit Sharma during the ICC tournament.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced the squad for the upcoming marquee tournament. Skipper Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli are top-order batters in the squad. Notably, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has not named a backup opener.

Virat Kohli Opens - Ajay Jadeja

Ajay Jadeja stated that Virat should open and Rohit Sharma should bat at No. 3. Jadeja mentioned that Virat will get time to settle in during the powerplay while opening the innings.

"For me, Virat Kohli opens. Who goes back? Rohit Sharma bats at three. He gets a little cushion and gets to understand the game, he has so much going on, in his mind as a captain," Jadeja told Jio Cinema.

"If you have Virat in your side, you know consistency is the one thing you will get, so, might as well use him. He's best at the top and the powerplay allows him to settle in," he added.

Virat Kohli has predominantly batted at No. 3 in 80 out of his 109 T20I innings. The 35-year-old has opened nine times in T20Is, scoring 400 runs at an average of 57.14 and a strike rate of 161.29, including one century and two fifties. He scored his maiden T20I century against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup 2022.

Kohli has been opening for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The right-handed batter has scored 500 runs in ten innings at an impressive average of 71.42 and a strike rate of 147.49. He is the second-highest run-getter in the ongoing tournament, behind Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Hardik Pandya Is A Special Player - Ajay Jadeja

Ajay Jadeja acknowledged the attention given to India's T20 vice-captain, Hardik Pandya. The 53-year-old described Hardik as 'a rare commodity,' noting the limited options of a seam bowler and batter available.

“The spotlight is on him for obvious reasons. He’s a special player, a rare commodity you find in our country where somebody bowls seam-up and can make it to the side with his batting,” he said referring to the furore caused by his elevation to Mumbai Indians captaincy replacing Rohit."

“The selection has not been on form, there’s no doubt about it. It depends on how you want to play. It’s one of the things I look at this team and think they don’t have many options,” Jadeja concluded.

Hardik Pandya's performance has fallen short of expectations in the IPL 2024. He has scored 197 runs in 10 matches at an average of 21.89 and a strike rate of 150.38. He has taken six wickets at an average of 42.16 and an expensive economy rate of 11. His last appearance for India was in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

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