T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli blocked to open for India!! Yashasvi Jaiswal backed by former Indian wicketkeeper

Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta has claimed that Yashasvi Jaiswali is the right choice and candidate to open with Rohit Sharma at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is among the players who have been selected by the Men's selection committee as part of the 15-man squad for the T20 WC. The left-hander was picked ahead of ODI opener Shubman Gill, who scored a welcome-back century against Chennai Super Kings last night after a spell of matches without scoring runs.

What did Deep Dasgupta say about Yashasvi Jaiswal?

While speaking to ESPNcricinfo recently along with Mitchell McClenaghan and the host, Deep Dasgupta had some bright things to say about Yashasvi Jaiswal. Dasgupta was asked to answer a fan's question on whether the Indian team management should send Virat Kohli as the opening pair with skipper Rohit Sharma.

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To its response, Deep Dasgupta admitted that Virat-Rohit in the opening slot is indeed a great option but he did have his doubts. The former Bengal cricketer stated that due to the presence of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad, he doesn't think Kohli and Rohit will be able to open together.

Dasgupta highlighted the kind of rough season that Yashasvi Jaiswal has experienced in IPL 2024 wherein he hasn't scored many runs. However, on a personal note, he said that he wants to see Jaiswal and Rohit open the innings and Virat Kohli to come into bat at number 3.

That top-order composition, according to Deep Dasgupta, is best suited for team India. "Definitely he is an option and a very good option at that. But then when you have someone like Yashasvi, I know this IPL season he hasn't scored a lot of runs. But at least personally speaking, I still want to go with Rohit and Yashasvi, Virat at three." - Dasgupta told ESPNcricinfo.

Dasgupta highlights the T20 format's demands

Deep Dasgupta then claimed that the shortest format requires a team to have its opening pair fixed while the rest of the order depends on the situation. Dasgupta gave a hypothetical situation in which India has scored 80+ within 8 overs, then they can send in Suryakumar Yadav or a left-hand batter in case of the presence of a left-arm spinner.

And regardless of how good Virat Kohli has been playing as an opener in IPL 2024, Dasgupta wants Yashasvi Jaiswal to open with Rohit Sharma.

And then obviously, I mean for me in this format, openers are fixed and after that, it's situation-based. If you really get a good start, Eight overs 80 or something then get Surya in or someone else, maybe a left-hander in if there's a left-arm spinner. So, I will still back Yashasvi because he's a proper match-winner. He's a really good talent that you got to back him." - Deep Dasgupta concluded.

This season, Jaiswal has scored 320 runs from 11 matches at a 157 strike rate. As compared to the 2023 season, the youngster has scored just 1 half-century and 1 full century whereas last season he had 5 fifties and 1 full-century.