TO OPEN OR NOT TO OPEN - TEAM INDIA’S KL RAHUL CONUNDRUM FOR THE WORLD CUP

The bizarre tactics have hurt his Asia Cup 2022 campaign as well since he has continued to look out of sorts. He was out for a golden duck against Pakistan in the first match, and scored at less than a run-a-ball against Hong Kong...

- RENIN WILBEN

The T20 World Cup in Australia is not far away now. However, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Team India are still unsettled over who should open with captain Rohit Sharma at the ICC event. Even last year, the confusion over the opening slot hurt India. Rohit and KL Rahul opened against Pakistan. However, both perished cheaply to Shaheen Afridi, after which India opened with Ishan Kishan against New Zealand, with Rohit moving down to No. 4.

It has been quite a few months since India’s disastrous exit from the tournament. However, while they have improved significantly as a T20I side, the opening conundrum remains unsolved. Of course, it did not help that Rahul has gotten injured more than once and hence has been out of the team a lot more than he has been in it. And ever since returning from a long injury layoff, he has been completely rusty.