Six batters who could be India's next openers in T20Is — ft. Yashavsi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and more
Batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 cricket after helping India win ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The two batters were India's openers all through the tournament and came up with handy knocks when the team needed the most. While Rohit hit fifties against Australia and England, Kohli came up with a valuable innings of 76 in the final. During their respective T20I careers, the two players have broken several batting records. But with "Ro-KO" no longer available for selection in T20Is, the team management has to look for next pair that can open the batting for the team in the format. Here we look at six batters who could slot in the role of India's openers in T20 cricket. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan) Yashavsi Jaiswal | Yashasvi Jaiswal is India's regular opener in Test cricket but with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli around he failed to get consistent starts in T20Is. The left-handed batter opens for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Jaiswal's attacking batting makes him an attractive option to open the innings in T20Is. The 22-year-old has played 98 T20 matches and scored 2757 runs at a strike rate of 148.86 and has three hundreds to his name. Just how destructive can Jaiswal be on a given is evident from the fact that he holds the record of the fastest fifty in IPL cricket. The young batsman created the record during the 2023 season of the IPL in a match against Kolkata Knight Riders. (Image: AP) Shubman Gill | When Shubman Gill in on song, he is often compared to Virat Kohli. That is the class of his batting. Gill's batting position has altered depending on the format that he is playing. In ODIs he has opened the batting with Rohit Sharma. Recently in Tests he has moved down the batting order. In IPL he opens for his franchise Gujarat Titans. Gill started as a middle order batter during his under-19 days but now has progressed to become a opener too. Gill has played 138 T20 games and scored 4228 runs at a strike rate of 137.18 and has hit six centuries. As an opener for Gujarat Titans in the 2023 edition of the IPL, Gill amassed 890 runs at a strike rate of 157.80, the second most in a single season of the league. (Image: Reuters) Abhishek Sharma | 2024 edition of the IPL was a breakout season for Abhishek Sharma. Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young batter was asked to open the innings alongside Australia's Travis Head. And all through the season Abhishek scored runs for fun. In just 16 matches, Abhishek scored 484 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 204.21. During the season, Abhishek powered the the fastest IPL fifty for the Sunrisers, off 16 balls. The 23-year-old has played 102 T20 games and scored 2671 runs at a strike rate of 153.59. So impressive was Abhishek's form in IPL 2024 that there were clamours to include him in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. Abhishek has proved his mettle as an opener and with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gone, it could be Abhishek time to shine in India's jersey in T20 cricket. (Image Source: iplt20.com) Ruturaj Gaikwad | Chennai Super Kings' new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is a certified opener. Ever since making his IPL debut in 2020, Gaikwad has always opened the innings for the "Yellow Army". Batting at the top of the order Gaikwad had a superb run in IPL 2021 as he scored a whopping 635 runs for his title winning side. The 27-year-old has played 136 T20 games and scored 4618 runs at a strike rate of 139.18. (Image: AP) KL Rahul | With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gone, India's T20 team will be devoid of experience. So the selectors could look to bring back KL Rahul. The 32-year-old opens the batting for his IPL team Lucknow Super Giants. In IPL 2018, Rahul smashed a fifty off 14 balls against Delhi Daredevils, which was the record for the fastest half-century in the IPL at the time. If need be Rahul can also act as a wicketkeeper and his experience could be of massive help for India's next T20 captain. Rahul has played 226 T20 games and scored 7586 runs at a strike rate of 135.85 and hit six centuries. (Image: Reuters) Ishan Kishan | Things are not looking good for Ishan Kishan at the moment but there is always a scope of comeback in sports. In February this year, Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were not offered central contracts by the BCCI so they are outside the national team's scope at the moment. But Kishan is a regular for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and opens the innings. Kishan's game is tailormade for T20 cricket. IPL 2020 proved to be Kishan's breakthrough season as he scored 516 runs, striking at 145.76. The 25-year-old holds the record of the fastest double hundred in the ODIs. That record highlights, Kishan's quality in white-ball cricket. Like Rahul, Kishan can also keep wickets, so if need be Kishan can be a wicketkeeper batter who can open the innings. (Image: AP)
2024-07-02T10:26:27Z
Wimbledon 2024: Novak Djokovic Routs Czech Republic's Vit Kopriva In Sensational Grand Slam Return
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time major champion, demonstrated his grass court prowess by defeating 27-year-old Czech player Vit Kopriva in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, in the first round of Wimbledon 2024. Djokovic, who had withdrawn from Roland Garros due to a knee injury, seemed fully recovered, displaying no signs of hesitation or discomfort during the match. Kopriva, ranked No. 123 in the ATP Rankings, had limited grass court experience, having...
2024-07-02T18:52:50Z