“I feel this player will open with Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup 2022” – Says Parthiv Patel

The former Indian opener Parthiv Patel suggested KL Rahul as the partner of Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup 2022 during a show on Cricbuzz.

Here’s what Parthiv Patel said

Patel said “KL Rahul is a long-term opening option for me. When Rahul returns to the team, I think he will open the innings with Rohit. Personally, I feel he will open with Rohit in the T20 World Cup.”

Ishan Kishan the left-hander looked out of touch in the first T20I against West Indies which took place in Kolkata. The 23-year-old scored only 35 off 42 balls and was unable to hit big shots.

Parthiv on Ishan Kishan’s innings in the first T20I

Parthiv said: “Ishan Kishan was trying to hit the ball too hard instead of timing it. When he was playing cross-batted strokes, he was using the bottom hand so much that the face of the bat was closing. Instead, he could have shown some patience and played a few shots with a straight bat. But it just did not happen for him on the day.”

Patel also added: “Ishan Kishan is not a bad option when he is in rhythm. When he is in the right mind space, he allows Rohit to take a bit of time. But I think it will be Rahul and Rohit at the World Cup.”

The left-hand opener Ishan Kishan has been categorized as India’s back-up opener and was part of the recently concluded T20 World Cup.

KL Rahul, The right-hand opener was out of the T20I series against West Indies due to injury and will start his rehab at National Cricket Academy along with Washington Sundar.

The Karnataka-born batsman is India’s first-choice opener in T20 format. Rahul has been highly consistent in the Indian jersey over the last few months. The 29-year-old was recently appointed as India’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket. He is likely to open along with Rohit in T20I World Cup 2022, Australia.

Skipper Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are very successful openers in T20I cricket and at the moment there’s no doubt about them being India’s first choice and they are India’s undisputed openers in the upcoming T20 World Cup.