Former Indian captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was really impressed by Virat Kohli’s thrashing as an opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the ongoing IPL 2024.
Praising Kohli’s dominance in the ongoing IPL 2024, Ganguly suggested a batting position for the Indian batting maestro for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will begin on June 1 in the US and the Caribbean.
In a crucial IPL 2024 match for RCB, Kohli put up his best performance this season to help his team register a convincing 60-run win over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 9.
Sourav Ganguly impressed by Virat Kohli’s heroics in IPL 2024
Virat Kohli’s explosive knock of 92 runs off just 47 balls, combined with 7 fours and 6 sixes, not only secured RCB’s fifth win of the season but also improved their chances of making it to the IPL 2024 Playoffs. RCB have two more matches left to give their best chance of clinching a playoff spot.
The dashing right-hander is currently the leading run-scorer in the ongoing IPL 2024, with a total of 634 runs in 12 innings at an impressive average of 70 and a remarkable strike rate of 153.51.
Kohli has had to face criticism for his strike rate in previous matches this season, especially during his century against Rajasthan Royals (RR) and his 51 runs off 43 balls against Gujarat Titans (GT).
But the 35-year-old batting maestro has responded strongly to his critics with aggressive batting in the last few matches of the ongoing IPL 2024. However, Kohli’s newest beast mode has been praised by former players and cricket experts.
Sourav Ganguly backs Virat Kohli to open for India in T20 World Cup 2024
Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly, director of cricket for Delhi Capitals (DC), praised Kohli’s excellent form in the ongoing IPL 2024 and suggested that RCB’s first match should open the innings for the Indian cricket team. in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. India will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 1 in New York.
Sourav Ganguly was quoted by PTI: “Virat is playing exceptionally well. The way Kohli batted last night, 90 in quick time, you have to use him as an opener in the T20 World Cup. He should open, as evidenced by his recent IPL innings, which have been outstanding.”
Talking about India’s 15-member preliminary team for the mega event, the legendary cricketer opined, “This is an excellent team. I think they have chosen the best possible template. Apart from the batting depth, the bowling looks excellent.”
Ganguly concluded by saying about the high-scoring nature of T20 cricket: “This will be the trend in the coming years. T20 cricket has become a power-oriented game and that is what it will be. I don’t believe in formats. I believe in skills. “These are exemplary players who will thrive in all formats.”
Here is India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024:
Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh , Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.