The IPL has more or less become the defacto selection criteria for India. So much so that players who did well in the IPL are even chosen to represent India in Test cricket. It is an ignominy that we the spectators will have to leave with. Having said that, this year’s IPL is turning out to be the selection games for the World T20 which will be held in the West Indies in June. Who are the Indian openers for World T20? There are several potential candidates but only one spot if up for grabs.
Rohit Sharma
He has been confirmed as the captain for the World T20. A turnaround by the selectors who seemed to have jettisoned both Rohit and Kohli after the miserable loss to England in the 2022 World T20. For more than a year, neither of them was considered for any T20 game. If both are selected as it looks likely, they will straightaway go from one World Cup to another. After the success at the top of the order during the ODI World Cup, barely 6 months ago, Rohit has been given a new lease of life. No longer does he intend to be that Rohit who will invariably play out a maiden first over.
Now he wants to take the bull by its horns and go after the bowler right at the outset. It is the much needed T20 approach. It sort of became clear that once he changed his batting style, he would be back in the team. With him being the captain, one opener slot is filled.
Virat Kohli
Kohli has been successful for RCB but there is always a question mark over his strike rate. You can bet on Kohli to bat the whole innings. It does not really matter whether by the end of the innings, the strike rate improves to 135 because during the initial overs, it remains a tad above 100 which means runs to be had were not taken. The pressure becomes so enormous that during the later stage of the innings, in trying to increase the run rate drastically, the team invariably falls short by losing wickets. Kohli also has this problem against the spinners where he is unable to force the pace.
In Test cricket, this is not a problem because he has time to build an innings but in T20, time is what he does not have. India just cannot afford to play the spinners safely and score just 5-6 an over. However, it will take an extremely brave selection committee meeting to drop Kohli and retain Rohit. The so called Rohit-Kohli division will spring up immediately among the masses. It will be better if Kohli himself asks the selectors not to consider him for the World Cup. That burning desire of being part of one World Cup win after 2011 is very much on his mind and he is unlikely to ask for himself to be dropped.
Ishan Kishan
He is an attacking batsman right from the beginning. It is still not clear whether he is good enough against express pace though the Caribbean pitches will hardly bounce. However, his attitude is a problem and he seems to think that he is already a superstar. It has been just over 3 months since he refused to follow the board’s diktat to play in the Ranji Trophy. Also, the Indian team management of Rohit and Dravid does not seem to prefer Ishan for his attitude.
The only favourable aspect is that he is a left-handed batsman. The bowlers will have to constantly change their line and length between him and Rohit. However, he is not having a good run so far in the IPL. 192 runs in 8 games is not that consistent. I will not want to pick Ishan just for his attitude. It does not matter what he brings to the plate.
Rahul
Please, don’t. Rahul at the top of the order is absolutely clueless about what he needs to do. I have said this multiple times before and I will say this again. Even for LSG, his returns haven’t been great enough to warrant a spot at the top. Leave alone at the top, Rahul will infact find it difficult to find himself in the squad itself.
Shubman Gill
Gill is again in the same mould as Rohit and Kohli. India just cannot afford to have Rohit, Gill and Kohli at the top of the order. Rohit though has reinvented himself, the other two hasn’t. Moreover, Gill is not a proven T20 performer. Yes, he has scored some hundreds in the IPL but those were on pitches that were conducive for batting. Caribbean pitches are likely to be slower which does not suit Gill’s batting.
Jaiswal
The left-hander who was extremely successful in the series against England is another option. He forged his batting in the IPL but has proven to be a good Test cricketer. He could partner Rohit but his returns in the current IPL are not satisfactory.
Wrapping up Indian openers for World T20
Kohli looks like to partner Rohit at the top. However, I think Sanju Samson will make a good partner. Being a wicket keeper, he can double up as an opener too. He has all the shots and is good of pace and spin. Sanju can take full advantage of the initial 6 overs. Kohli can bat at his usual slot.