Virat Kohli, as a makeshift opener, has been a flop for the Indian team in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Despite all the praise and backing from the former players, Virat does not look like a good fit for the role. There is a difference between the Indian Premier League and international cricket, and Kohli has also realized this after not scoring runs in three consecutive matches.

He hasn’t been able to time the ball, and his habit of going for shots early in the innings on testing pitches has resulted in his downfall. In the latest game against the United States of America, he couldn’t open his account and went back after facing one ball. In the previous games against Ireland and Pakistan, the right-handed batter managed 1 and 4.

USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar cleverly bowled outside the off-stump, and Virat’s weakness against the left-arm seamers was again visible as he just managed to edge the delivery, which was caught by the wicket-keeper.

However, former India player and Virat’s critic Sunil Gavaskar doesn’t want a change in his batting order. He feels Kohli should continue to open the innings.

“Virat Kohli should continue to open the innings as he can score runs in the powerplay overs. He can find the gaps upfront, with field restrictions on in the six overs.

“He will get stuck at the number three slot and will find it difficult to score runs as the ball will become old and not come onto the bat as early as a batter would want.

“There is no doubt about Virat’s class, and he just needs to spend some time at the crease. He got a very good ball against the USA. Saurabh bowled a good delivery to dismiss Virat,” Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

Several fans and former all-rounder Irfan Pathan are not convinced with Virat opening the batting. Pathan wants Yashasvi Jaiswal to play as the opener instead of Kohli, as the latter has been a match-winner at the number three position.