“You definitely need a left-right combination at the top” – Matthew Hayden suggests India open with Virat Kohli & Yashasvi Jaiswal in T20 World Cup

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has urged India to open the innings with Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Kohli is the leading run-getter in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024, scoring 661 runs in 13 matches at an average of 66.10 and a strike rate of 155.16. 

On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored 344 runs in 12 matches at an average of 31.27 and a strike rate of 153.57. While Kohli is opening the innings for RCB in the ongoing IPL, he is expected to bat at one down in the T20I showpiece.

Rohit Sharma, India’s captain for the T20 World Cup, could open the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, Rohit isn’t in the best of forms for Mumbai Indians as he has scored 349 runs in 13 matches at an average of 29.08 and a strike rate of 145.41.

Speaking on Star Sports, Matthew Hayden said, “You definitely need a left-right combination at the top. If you have to make a change in that combination (Rohit & Jaiswal), I would be very happy if you would tell me if I could open with Kohli and Jaiswal, I would have said absolutely yes.”

Hayden further added that he will prefer Suryakumar Yadav batting at number three whereas he wants Rohit Sharma to bat at number four. Yadav has scored 345 runs in 10 matches of IPL 2024 at an average of 38.33 and a strike rate of 169.95.

“The reason I say that is Virat is a master of the first six. And once the power hitting comes into play, there are other great options including Rohit. Look at his figures at No. 4, they are superb. Those are better than his opening numbers.”

India will begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland on June 5.