Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli set to open for India in T20 World Cup opener vs Ireland: Pant at 3, Jadeja-Axar start over Kuldeep

As teased in India’s warm-up match against Bangladesh, the men in blue have started their T20 World Cup campaign without Yashasvi Jaiswal – who had been a regular in the T20 squad. Instead, it is likely that the much anticipated move of Virat Kohli accompanying Rohit Sharma is likely to be the case.

Kohli, who has been the RCB opener over the past few seasons, had finished as the top-scorer of the recently concluded IPL season while India captain Rohit remains as the other opener in New York.

In the warm-up game on Saturday, India had gone with Samson – who missed out on the playing XI for India’s Group A opener – as the other opener as Kohli joined the India squad earlier the same day and missed out on the practice game.

Another clue dropped last weekend may be the way forward for Rohit and Co as Rishabh Pant – who scored a fifty against Bangladesh batting at three may be given a run at the same position. (The Indian Express’ Lalith Kalidas makes a strong case for the same, READ HERE.)

In the bowling department, India have gone with the spin combination of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, also handy options with the bat, as Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal miss out.

The pace combination features the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj – all of whom were among the wickets in the practice match.

Speaking on the conditions on offer at the Nassau County Stadium, which hosted the low-scorer between South Africa and Sri Lanka earlier this week, Rohit said, “We played on a similar pitch and do know what to expect a little bit. I know it’s going to be slightly different from what we’re used to. But that’s what the sport is. Not sure about the conditions too much, so thought having a target in front of us would be good.”

India playing XI vs Ireland: Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

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