Virat Kohli to play as opener if it creates the best balance' for Team India

Kanpur: India captain Virat Kohli, on Wednesday, revealed that he is prepared to step-in as an opener, if it helps the balance of the team’s batting lineup.

India have a couple of openers in their squad for the three T20I series against England, which is set to get underway in Kanpur on Thursday, but KL Rahul is the only opener who has sufficient experience in India colours.

Read: Playing international cricket, I realise that I need to be a bit more consistent: Lokesh Rahul

The squad also includes 25-year-old Mandeep Singh, who has opened the innings for India in T20 cricket on a few occasions.

Mandeep’s international career comprises only three T20Is till now. He has played all these three matches against Zimbabwe last year.

Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant is another player who has some experience with opening the innings in T20 cricket, having played in that position for Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Read: Suresh Raina, Parvez Rasool can use T20 series to seal Team India spot: Virat Kohli

When asked whether the lack of experienced openers in the squad would compel Kohli to propel himself up the batting order, the India captain said that he is ready to bat in the opening slot, if it helps bring balance to the side.

“Whatever creates the best balance for us in the batting side, we’re going to go ahead with that,” said Kohli on the eve of India’s first T20I against England in Kanpur.

“I’ve only opened in one or maybe two T20 games for India till now,” he continued. “But I have experience of opening in the IPL, so if need be, I could, or I might not (open the innings) depending on the balance of the side.”

India have had a few problems with the opener’s slot in recent times, as the pairing of KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan have failed to score significant runs at the top of the order in the three ODIs against England.

Read: Rohit Sharma clears the air about his exclusion from Indian squad for England series

Rohit Sharma, who generally opens the innings, has been injured for a while, something that has not helped India’s cause.