This Template Is Ideal For Virat Kohli - Sanjay Bangar Opines On The Skipper Promoting Himself To Open

Former India batting coach, Sanjay Bangar says that Virat Kohli opening the batting is a perfect situation for the skipper as it gives him time to settle and anchor the innings before teeing off once he is set.

Virat Kohli replaced KL Rahul, who has had a dismal series with just 15 runs in 4 matches, at the top in the 5th T20I against England on Saturday. Kohli and Rohit Sharma laid a massive foundation for the middle-order batters with a 94 run stand.

India posted a mammoth total of 224, its highest against England, and the visitors fell short by 36 runs as the pacers brought India back after a 130-run stand between Dawid Malan and Jos Buttler. The Men In Blue won its third consecutive international series after losing the first game.

It means that two of their best batters are going to get a lot of balls to play: Sanjay Bangar

Sanjay Bangar reckons the opening combination of Sharma-Kohli, the two best batters in the side, could be a long-term option considering two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022. Bangar also believes that Virat Kohli’s opening gives him enough time to set himself before launching an assault on the bower – when Rohit got out in the 9th over for 64 off 33, Kohli was batting at 22 off 20 before; he eventually finished with 80 from 52 balls.

“He (Virat Kohli) thrives on timing the ball well, he thrives on finding those gaps. He was doing all those really well. In the longer run if he decides and if the team management decides that it’s going to be the way forward as to Virat Kohli and Rohit will open the innings, it means that two of their best batters are going to get a lot of balls to play,” the 48-year-old former all-rounder said on Star Sports.

“And this template is actually ideal for somebody like Virat Kohli who literally takes off once he passes that 30-ball phase,” Bangar added.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Virat Kohli To Open The Batting For Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) In The Tournament