Xtra Time Web Desk: Brian Lara’s advice regarding the opening positions for India in the T20 World Cup suggests a strategic approach that aims to balance experience with youth and optimize batting lineup dynamics.
His suggestion of not having both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma open the innings together is based on the idea that it might not be the most effective use of resources. Instead, Lara proposes a combination where one experienced player opens with a younger talent while the other batsman, in this case, Virat Kohli, comes in at No. 3.
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“I think Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli going as openers to the West Indies will serve India very well. I think when you are picking your team and your batting order, you have to pick the team on the basis of what you want your players to do. It doesn’t matter who fills that spot. They have a job. If you want to score 70-80 in the first 6 overs, you have got to pick players to do so, it doesn’t matter the name of the players,” Lara said on Star Sports.
Lara advised India to select a younger player for the opening spot, who could show his mettle in the tournament and go hard at the top. Lara further added that India should use Kohli as his classical anchor role where he could see the Indian innings through and provide some stability to the Indian batting unit.
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“So, for me, they are great players (Rohit and Virat), I think though that you should have some youthful punch in the opening spot. One of the younger players, showing their mettle, showing what they are capable of and have one of those experienced players shepherd the innings in the middle order right through till the end. Having that experience up front, it could have a negative effect if they get dismissed early, so I will use one yes, but use the other at No. 3,” he further added.