Not Yashasvi Jaiswal Or KL Rahul! Sourav Ganguly Picks Rohit Sharma's Opening Partner For T20 World Cup

The Indian players are sweating it out in the Indian Premier League (IPL) before the all-important 2024 T20 World Cup. While few players have confirmed spots in the squad, there are few vacant spots too. India don't have a fixed opening partner for Rohit Sharma. Rohit is confirmed to open the innings but it isn't known who he is opening partner will be.

Yashasvi Jaiswal looked a solid contender before the start of IPL 2024 but he has struggled in the season. The left-handed batsman has only managed 121 runs in 7 matches and could get dropped on his present form.

KL Rahul, who has scored 286 runs in 7 matches, looks a solid contender. But he hasn't played a T20I since the 2022 WC and could get ignored.

As the selectors continue their hunt to select Rohit's opening partner, Sourav Ganguly has shared his take and named Virat Kohli as his pick. "The most important thing for India is to play without fear. There is no hard and fast rule about age and playing youngsters in T20Is, James Anderson still plays Tests and bowls 30 overs in Tests, MS Dhoni still hits sixes and both are in their 40s. Six-hitting is important. Virat has got the capability to hit a 40-ball century. It is about playing fearlessly and freely in T20Is," the former India captain said.

"It’s my personal opinion that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should open for India in the T20 World Cup. India needs to go out and hit. Rohit, Virat, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya etc. All of them are exceptional talents and their six-hitting abilities are tremendous."

Rohit and Virat have opened together once in T20Is. Virat has been a regular opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for many years now. He is in form in the ongoing IPL season and holds the Orange Cap for scoring 379 runs in 8 matches.

The former India captain averages 63.16 and has batted with a strike rate of 150.39. Virat has one century and two half-centuries in the season.

With Suryakumar Yadav already proving his prowess at number 3, the selectors could consider selecting Virat as an opener. The duo of Virat and Rohit put on a partnership of 94 runs in 9 overs when they opened in the 5th T20I against England in 2021. Virat scored 80 not out off 52 while Rohit slammed 64 off 34 balls.