Not Yashasvi Jaiswal; DC Coach Ricky Ponting Wants Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli as India’s Openers For T20 World Cup

Mumbai: The T20 World Cup 2024 is less than two weeks away and the buzz is palpable. The buzz is around the Indian team as they are one of the strong contenders to lift the title. But, days ahead of the event, there is speculation over who will open for India. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has spoken on who should be the Indian openers at the marquee event. Ponting wants Rohit Sharma to open with Virat Kohli.

“I’m once again backing Virat Kohli to deliver at the T20 World Cup. He’s my first pick for India. Kohli’s quality to stand out in big matches worked in his favour. He remains as relevant to India’s fortunes as before,” Ponting said on ICC.

Meanwhile, Kohli, who has been in ominous form in the ongoing IPL, needs just 29 runs to become the first player in IPL history to complete 8000 runs. He is also the current Orange Cap holder and in all probability emerge as the leading run-getter. RCB take on Rajasthan tonight at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.

Kohli would be the key to India’s fortunes at the marquee event as he is in prime form lately. India play their opening game against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International stadium in New York.

India’s T20 World Cup 2024 Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.

Travelling Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan