Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have announced retirement from T20I cricket. The iconic duo played as opening partners in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024 tournament, where India ended up as the champions.
The Indian team defeated South Africa in an edge of the seat thriller, and after the match, Rohit and Virat announced that it is time for the next generation to take over. India needs a new pair of openers now, and here are three right hand-left hand combinations which India can try in T20Is.
1. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma can be the new opening pair after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma have been two of the best performers with the bat at the top of the order for their respective IPL franchises. Gill won the Orange Cap after a historic season with Gujarat Titans in 2023, while Abhishek Sharma was among the top run-getters in 2024.
Gill and Sharma have been named in India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe. It seems likely that they will open the batting together.
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the batting for India at Asian Games 2023 men’s cricket tournament, where India won the gold medal. Jaiswal was also in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Hence, this combination of left hand-right hand can also be fantastic for Team India in T20Is.
3. Venkatesh Iyer and Sanju Samson
Venkatesh Iyer has shown that he can do a brilliant job at the top of the order for his team in T20 cricket. He has also proven himself as a clutch player by performing well in tough situations. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson is a talented player but not getting a place in the team due to a stacked middle-order. India can accommodate Samson and Iyer as an attacking opening pair in T20Is.
