Can Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma open at T20 World Cup 2022? Ex-India cricketer answers

The Indian cricket team has been experimenting with a few new players at the opening spot over the past couple of series. Some fans and experts are wondering whether Virat Kohli could also be given a shot at the top, especially keeping the T20 World Cup 2022 in mind.

TN Sports Desk

Updated Aug 4, 2022, 11:57 IST

Can Virat Kohli open with Rohit Sharma at T20 WC?

Photo : IANS

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav have been tried as openers in India's recent T20I assignments.
Some fans and experts are wondering if Virat Kohli could be tried as an opener too.
Aakash Chopra feels the forthcoming Asia Cup will give better clarity over Kohli's role in India's T20 team.

The 2022 T20 World Cup is only a few months away, and potential team combinations are being discussed intensely among fans and pundits. As the Indian cricket team seems to be in a phase of experimentation over one of the opening spots, some have even questioned if Virat Kohli could be the one to open alongside Rohit Sharma.

Kohli has occasionally opened in T20 cricket but there seem to be too many options for the spot -- KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, etc. -- at the moment. Couldn't Virat's name be added to the list too?

Aakash Chopra, former India cricketer who also used to play as an opener, feels the question would be answered at the Asia Cup where the Indian team is expected to feature the team that is likely to make it to the T20 World Cup in Australia.

"Who will be the openers, that's the million-dollar question. KL Rahul will of course become available now. So is KL Rahul going to open or will Suryakumar open or will Ishan Kishan get a chance? Can Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also open?," Chopra put the question in front in a video on his YouTube Channel.

"You will get the answer to the biggest question in this tournament because all of us believe that the team that will play now will be the one that will be almost ready for the World Cup, subject to fitness. If there is any injury, there could be change, else the 15 who will be selected here are also going to Australia for the World Cup," he himself responded in the video.

Virat mostly played as an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) of late but he hasn't had many opening stints for India in T20Is.

He last opened for India in the T20I series against England last year. With the presence of Rahul, Ishan, etc. in the team, it doesn't look like Kohli will be handed that role so close to the T20 World Cup.

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