Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden gave an unusual response on the debate on whether Virat Kohli or Yashasvi Jaiswal should open alongside Rohit Sharma for India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Hayden changed the Indian captain’s batting position from his usual opening number and instead opted for a left-right batting combination at the top, pairing Kohli with Jaiswal.

In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Hayden revealed his starting XI ahead of India’s T20 World Cup match against Ireland. Emphasizing the importance of a left-right batting combination at the top, the Aussie legend stated that Kohli should open the innings or leave him out of the playing XI.

“To create an effective batting lineup, you need a left-right combination as having five consecutive right-handed batters is not ideal. Australia would easily give Zampa the ball. Kohli must open the innings or he won’t make it to my team,” said Hayden.

Hayden explained that the different logic can be applied for ‘versatile’ Indian captain Rohit, whom he positioned at No. 4 in his lineup.

“Rohit is a versatile player who can bat in the middle order. He has a successful track record batting at No. 4 in T20I cricket and can lead the batting lineup from the middle overs,” he claimed.

Rohit Sharma has played 151 T20Is, during which he has scored 3,974 runs. In 27 of those matches, he batted outside his usual opening position, amassing 481 runs with five half-centuries. Rohit has batted at number 4 in eight games, amassing 188 runs at a strike rate of 122.87, including two fifties. In the IPL, Rohit has batted in the middle order in 91 innings, scoring 2,565 runs at a strike rate of 130, with 20 half-centuries.