Indian captain Virat Kohli ended all the speculations around Team India’s first choice openers ahead of the T20 series against England
India’s limited overs vice-captain, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will be the openers for the upcoming T20 series against England. Indian skipper Virat Kohli confirmed the same in the virtual press conference ahead of the first T20 in Ahmedabad.
“It’s quite simple, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have done well for us consistently. Shikhar Dhawan is the back-up, our starting composition will be Rohit and KL for this series,” Kohli said.
He further added, “In a situation, Rohit takes rest and KL has a niggle or something, Shikhi (Dhawan’s nickname in team) obviously comes in as the third opener but the starting composition, Rohit and Rahul will be the ones who will start.”
Dhawan had been in fine form during IPL 2020 and was the tournament’s second highest-run scorer after KL Rahul. The latter had been among the runs himself in 2020. And with Rohit Sharma a mainstay in white-ball cricket, there was confusion around his opening partner.
Apart from confirming Team India’s opening combination, Kohli also reacted to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return in Indian colours. “Glad to have him back, he is keen to contribute to many more Indian wins. Hope he can build strongly from here,” the skipper said.
The first of the five T20Is will be played on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium.