T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli should not open for Team India? Matthew Hayden gives a jaw-dropping verdict

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden shared his thoughts on ace batter Virat Kohli's role for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. Matthew Hayden stated that Virat Kohli should open the innings for Team India in the ICC tournament in June this year.

Virat Kohli is the leading run-getter in T20 World Cups, scoring 1141 runs in 27 matches at an impressive average of 81.50 and a strike rate of 131.30. Overall, the right-handed batter has scored 4037 runs in 117 matches at an average of 51.76 and a strike rate of 138.16, including one century and 37 fifties.

They Shouldn't Do That - Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden stated that Virat Kohli's batting position should not be changed in the World Cup, despite his impressive outings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hayden emphasized that the team should maintain a left-right combination at the top of the batting order.

“No they shouldn't do that. The reason why I say that is because you definitely need a left-right combination at the top. So I would definitely go with Jaiswal and Rohit,” Hayden said in a conversation with his daughter and Star Sports presenter Grace Hayden.

Virat Kohli is currently opening for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2024. The former Indian captain holds the Orange Cap at the moment. He has scored 634 runs at an impressive average of 70.44 and a strike rate of 153.51. He has smashed a century and five fifties so far.

Suryakumar Yadav At 3 And Rohit Sharma At No.4 - Matthew Hayden

The former Australian batter stated that Virat Kohli should open with Yashasvi Jaiswal if the team management wants to make changes. Hayden picked Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3 and Rohit Sharma at No. 4 in the batting order. He stated that Rohit's stats at No. 4 are better than opening.

"If you have to make a change in that combination, I would be very happy...if you would tell me if I could open with Kohli and Jaiswal, I would have said absolutely yes. Then I would slot Suryakumar Yadav at 3 and Rohit at No.4. And that top four, in my opinion, is the right combination."

"The reason I say that is Virat is a master of the first six. And once the power hitting comes into play, there are other great options including Rohit. Look at his figures at No. 4, they are superb. Those are better than his opening numbers,” Hayden added.

Rohit Sharma has played 151 T20I matches for Team India, scoring 3974 runs at an average of 31.79 and a strike rate of 139.93. He has batted in the No. 4 position in eight innings, scoring 188 runs at a strike rate of 122.87 with two half-centuries. His last appearance at No. 4 for India was in 2022.

The Indian skipper has batted at No. 4 in 91 innings in the IPL, scoring 2565 runs at a strike rate of 130, including 20 fifties. The veteran batter last played at that position in 2018.

Rohit Sharma will be next in action during the match between the Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, May 11.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: Jay Shah reveals when Team India will leave for the tournament