Virat Kohli told to learn T20 cricket batting from Rohit Sharma by Deep Dasgupta

Former India wicket-keeper batsman Deep Dasgupta explained how Virat Kohli can help the Indian team as an opening batter in Super 8s of the T20 World Cup.

Virat Kohli is among those reputed batters in the showpiece event, whose bat has remained relatively quiet in the Group stages. It's not even that Kohli is not in form or a good rhythm as he came to the World Cup after a 700+ run season in this year's IPL season. For his 741 runs, the former India captain ended as the highest run-getter and won the Orange Cap for the first time since 2016.

The primary reason behind Virat Kohli not scoring runs is the conditions that were on offer in New York where India played all of their group games. Moreover, this is the first time that Virat is operating as an opening batter on a full-time basis for India, that too, at an ICC event wherein he loves to show up and score runs.

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In the last two white-ball events - the 2022 T20 WC and the ODI WC, Virat Kohli was the one to score the most runs. In Australia (T20 WC), he had amassed 296 runs whereas last year he piled up more than 700 runs from 10 matches. He was, as always, a key reason behind team India's journey to the final where they eventually lost to 6-time World Champions Australia.

Even in this T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli is going to be imperative if India are to quench their thirst for an ICC silverware since 2013. It will be important for him to hit his peak form in the Super 8s and Deep Dasgupta has explained how he can contribute as an opener.

What did Deep Dasgupta say about Kohli?

While speaking to a local outlet a few days ago, Deep Dasgupta stressed the fact that Virat Kohli should aim to make an impact instead of a long innings. Usually, Kohli is the one who plays the anchor role and holds on to his end until the last.

However, Dasgupta feels Kohli should try to cause an impact and that if he scores 30 off 20 instead of 50 off 45, that will be more beneficial for the side.

"We are talking about runs, which is important, but if you are opening and especially in this format, impact is important. You might score 30 runs but if those 30 runs come in 20 balls, that is more important than you scoring 50 runs off 45 balls. So impact is very important,These are matches and pitches where you will have to play such knocks," Dasgupta told Star Sports.

Deep Dasgupta then gave the example of Rohit Sharma, who hasn't scored many runs in the recent past but has made sure to give the team good momentum. Dasgupta said that a 20-25 run knock off 15 is not a bad innings at all, especially in T20 cricket.

"If you take Rohit's example, he might not have scored big runs in the last one to one-and-a-half years, but he gives the momentum in every innings. 20-25 runs in 15 balls is not a bad innings. If he scores a fifty or a hundred, that is very good, but even if he contributes with a 15-ball 25, he has done a job," Deep Dasgupta concluded.