Matthew Hayden Backs Virat Kohli to Continue as Opener Despite T20 World Cup Struggles

In the three games India has played during the tournament's group stage, Virat Kohli has had a difficult time starting for India in the present T20 World Cup, with scores of 1, 4, and 0. Matthew Hayden believes the former captain should stay up front despite the difficulty.

That is the ideal batting stance for Kohli, according to the illustrious former Australia opener, however one issue he will face is utilising the Powerplay overs in the Caribbean weather.

Hayden stated at the Star Sports Press Room on Wednesday, "I stated it during the IPL as well that if Kohli was going to be in the (T20 Cup) team, he needs to open." "I don't think we'll get the best performance out of Virat if he bats third." It's not as simple as showing up and hitting 250 on these wickets. Cricket players with intelligence are what you need.

"You reflect on David Warner's World Cup performance. He scored about thirty runs (39 off sixteen balls) against England in Barbados on a slow wicket. It was a pretty significant, expertly crafted thirty-odd. What then is your standard? Which is it—the strike rate, the 50s, or the 100s?

"What Kohli will face now that he is in the Caribbean is similar to how Warner and (Travis) Head came out on that Barbados surface and blasted the game away. Just give him some space for the next week and a half. He'll demonstrate to you why the Indian selectors have confidence in him to bat at the opening spot.

Indeed, he must maintain a high strike rate going forward. You must be in control of the game during those six overs. If you don't have a strong opening ten overs, it's extremely difficult to make up ground," Hayden emphasized.

"Creative bowler"

Apart from Kohli's difficult period, Jasprit Bumrah's bowling, especially against Pakistan, has been a major factor in India's undefeated group stage result.

Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop, who was also present at the virtual media session, described India's pace spearhead as "a good communicator who thinks about the game" and said, "He has got pace, but he has also developed variations and knows better than many bowlers when to use his variations."

"He has a special action where the ball finds you far faster than the batsman expects. And since they get on to you, that's part of the reason those full tosses occasionally don't get crushed. This bowler transcends generations."

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