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India’s experiment with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli opening together in the 2024 T20 World Cup group stage did not yield desired results. The decision to pair India’s most experienced batters at the top of the order drew attention before the tournament began. While Rohit Sharma was anticipated to open, the unexpected move of promoting Virat Kohli to join him, and Rishabh Pant’s elevation to No.3, led to Yashasvi Jaiswal being left out of the team.

After three matches in the tournament, the partnership has not yielded results primarily because Virat Kohli’s scores of one, four, and 0 have been contributing factors. All of India’s matches took place in New York, where conditions were notably challenging for batsmen compared to typical T20 standards. However, there is optimism that Kohli could find his form again during the upcoming Super 8 matches in the Caribbean islands.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, however, has said that he would have had Jaiswal opening the batting for India in the Super 8. Vaughan said that it won’t really matter who among Kohli or Rohit bats at No.3 while Shivam Dube would sit out. “I love Yashasvi Jaiswal, I’d want him to be opening the batting,” he said on Cricbuzz. “Virat or Rohit at No.3, I’m not too bothered by which right-hander goes to No.3. Shivam Dube is at No.5 but in the Caribbean I’d have Rishabh Pant in there,” he said.

Jaiswal has showcased his talent in both T20Is and Test cricket, the two international formats he has participated in thus far. As an opener in T20Is, he has amassed 502 runs across 17 matches, boasting an impressive strike rate of 161.93 and an average of 33.46. His record includes one century and four half-centuries, highlighting his proficiency at the top of the order.“Yashasvi is an incredible player. He is such a good batter, I would want him in,” said Vaughan.

‘Not having enough left-handers was a mistake India made in the past’

Vaughan said that India made the right call by trying to fill up their batting lineup with enough left-handers. “I like the fact that they have gone with left-handers. I thought not having enough left-handers was a mistake from India in the past so I can kind of understand that but I would want Jaiswal in my team,” he said.

Rohit Sharma has outperformed Virat Kohli slightly, notably scoring an undefeated half-century against Ireland in India’s tournament opener. Rishabh Pant, batting at No.3, has arguably been India’s standout performer, while Suryakumar Yadav’s resilient half-century guided India to victory over USA. Therefore, it appears improbable that India will make significant changes to their top-order lineup heading into the Super 8 stage, which commences with a match against Afghanistan at the Kensington Oval on June 20th.