Kohli has been leading run-charts in the IPL 2024 as an opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but him opening with Rohit for India in the T20 World Cup could result in teams having left-arm fast-bowler and left-arm spinner match-up. However, Pathan thinks Jaiswal opening with Rohit will help India tackle this match-up in the T20 World Cup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a question which has been floating around a lot. It should be Yashasvi Jaiswal \u2013 as he being a left-hander, what happens is, a team from a bowling point of view, will start with a left-arm spinner and when that happens, you can actually play these two batters. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli open, as there\u2019s been a lot of talk about it, you can keep them quiet for a certain period of time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf you do that, the game goes away, especially at the start and this is where a left-handed batter in Yashasvi Jaiswal comes into the picture. He\u2019s aggressive and will take on the threat of left-arm spinner as well. So, I think Yashasvi should open with Rohit Sharma,\u201d said Pathan while replying to an IANS query in the latest episode of \u2018Star Sports Press Room\u2019 show.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Rohit-Jaiswal combination though, will also result in Kohli batting at number three, which would mean his struggles against spin in the post power-play phase could resurface. But Kaif believes Kohli\u2019s previous stupendous success for India in ICC tournaments at number three is still a very big factor.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI would see Jaiswal and Rohit opening, as Kohli has to be there at number three. Though he opens in the IPL, Kohli has done well in ICC events at number three. You need someone who has experience at number three and can bat through. With Yashasvi opening and Kohli in the dugout, there will be pressure on the opposition team that Virat is still to come out to bat.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf he opens and the opposition gets him out, then it will be a big confidence booster for them. Jaiswal will attack from the first ball and Rohit Sharma also attacks in power-play, then it should be this way: Jaiswal, Rohit and Virat Kohli at number three,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pathan, the Player of the Match in India\u2019s 2007 T20 World Cup final win over Pakistan in Johannesburg, was left disappointed over the non-inclusion of Rinku Singh and Ravi Bishnoi in the 15-member squad. Rinku, an in-form finisher for India in 15 T20I since his debut last year, is placed in the traveling reserves.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am very disappointed that Rinku Singh is not there. It's because Rinku Singh was playing a crucial role in finishing the game \u2013 he did it for his franchise (Kolkata Knight Riders) last year and when he played for India, he did that role as well.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cOnce you have a strike-rate of 170+ and have an average close to 60-70, and then not be picked, then you will be very disappointed. Bishnoi, I thought, despite that number six ranking, misses out to a master spinner like Chahal, though he\u2019s got that fielding skill too. So, these were the two things I had in my mind on seeing this team.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At the same time, Pathan reckons India has to play their cricket in feisty fashion if they are to end a more than a decade drought of World Cup victory. \u201cThe guys, who have been selected, have to perform when the pressure time comes in. I am not worried about the first half; it's about when the knockout matches will happen \u2013 this is where I want the Indian team to play fearless cricket which in the last two World Cups \u2013 50-over and 20-over in Australia \u2013 we missed out on that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kaif agreed with Pathan\u2019s views and felt India\u2019s real examination will be to win knockout matches, something which they haven\u2019t been able to do yet. \u201cIt\u2019s a very balanced side, but this is not the IPL, where you play 14 league matches and come back to win the trophy even after losing games.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn the World Cup, you will meet weaker teams in the initial phase of the tournament till you meet teams like Pakistan and England in the semi-finals. You need to win two big matches to win the trophy and are you ready for that big moment? India haven\u2019t done that in the past and that\u2019s the real challenge for Rohit Sharma.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will begin their Men's T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. India, the 2007 Men's T20 World Cup winners, are in Group A alongside Pakistan, Canada and tournament co-hosts USA.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/05\/pathan-and-kaif-back-jaiswal-to-be-rohits-opening-partner-for-india-in-t20-wc.JPG", "alt_img": "Pathan and Kaif back Jaiswal to be Rohit\u2019s opening partner for India in T20 WC", "alt_title": "Jaipur: IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at Sawai Mansingh Stadium", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Pathan And Kaif Back Jaiswal To Be Rohit\u2019s Opening Partner For India In T20 WC On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Pathan And Kaif Back Jaiswal To Be Rohit\u2019s Opening Partner For India In T20 WC, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium: Former India cricketers Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif have backed young Yashasvi Jaiswal to be.", "seo_keywords": "Yashasvi Jaiswal, New Delhi, Former India, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, Rohit Sharma, T20 World Cup, West Indies, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, If Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Star Sports Press Room, The Rohit, But Kaif, With Yashasvi, Rinku Singh, Ravi", "tag": "", "tagging": "Yashasvi Jaiswal, New Delhi, Former India, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, Rohit Sharma, T20 World Cup, West Indies, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, If Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Star Sports Press Room, The Rohit, But Kaif, With Yashasvi, Rinku Singh", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "pathan-and-kaif-back-jaiswal-to-be-rohits-opening-partner-for-india-in-t20-wc", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1118", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-05-01 18:54:04", "updated": "2024-05-01 18:54:04", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Yashasvi Jaiswal, New Delhi, Former India, Irfan Pathan, Mohammad Kaif, Rohit Sharma, T20 World Cup, West Indies, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, If Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Star Sports Press Room, The Rohit, But Kaif, With Yashasvi, Rinku Singh, Ravi", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-05-01 18:54:04", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/pathan-and-kaif-back-jaiswal-to-be-rohits-opening-partner-for-india-in-t20-wc-143753" }