Indian star batter Virat Kohli is in top form and holds the Orange cap for scoring the most runs in the IPL. Former Aussie players Aaron Finch and Tim Paine opine on where Virat Kohli should play in the T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli has looked in complete control in IPL 2024 and has silenced all the critics over his strike rate controversy.
Virat Kohli is the star player and has scored the most runs in T20Is his form brought him back when he scored a century against Afghanistan in 2022 after having a leaning patch, since then he scored the most runs in World Cup 2023 and later he was back in form. He plays at N03 for India but he opens when he plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Aaron Finch and Tim Paine debate over Virat Kohli
Former Aussie players Aaron Finch and Tim Paine debate over Virat Kohli’s position of where he should play in the World Cup. Virat Kohli is the kind of player who is flexible enough to play at any position. He scores runs at every position and he plays for the country rather than for records so milestones are not important to him. Tim Paine says:
“I certainly would [have Kohli open]. I think Virat Kohli has earned the right to bat wherever he wants, particularly when he’s in this kind of form. Virat is an experienced player and I’m sure they will be having conversations but whether he bats one, two or three will worry him too much,”
“Having said that if I was the selection or coach in that team, I would want my best player, the best player in red-hot form, I would want him facing as many balls as possible so I’ll try and slot him back at the top,” Paine was quoted as saying on the ‘Around the Wicket’ podcast.
Later Aaron Finch says:
“There was so much talk around it at the start of the tournament. Will he be in the World Cup squad so to be able to put that aside and go out there and do his job… like you said striking at 155 is the highest he has struck in throughout his career so it’s a great point. He is just a brilliant player. I love watching him play. The way that he dissects a run chase is extraordinary. But I would still keep him at 3,”
“I think the stability of him at 3 just creates an environment for everybody else around to play their natural game. And you’ve got Jaiswal who can hit them out of the park. He can give them a flyer. I am just not sure whether Virat and Rohit at the top would create that dynamic approach that you need in West Indies,” he added.