Follow UsVirat Kohli’s form at the ongoing T20 World Cup is a grave concern. Across the three innings, the right-hander has scores of 0, 4, and 1, all in a new role as India’s opener. While that form certainly is concerning, former Australian opener Matthew Hayden isn’t too perturbed by Kohli’s ‘lack of form’.
"Kohli in any conditions is a world-class batter. These [Caribbean] are venues where you have to construct an innings and think about the kind of realistic totals that are possible in these different venues,” Hayden said on Star Sports Press Room.
Barring St Lucia, the average totals at the various venues in the T20 World Cup have been at an all-time low, especially in New York, where India played three out of their four group-stage games.
"Outside of St Lucia, par scores are in the range of 160-170 and Virat, with all his experience, will be able to work out what to do, like hitting spin towards the windward side, depending on how significant it is,” Hayden added.
"Look, conditions in the USA were extremely tough, no one likes that. Everyone wants to see these great champions playing freely. But it's not necessarily going to be the case. That's why experience counts."
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The clash against Ireland was the first-ever instance of Kohli opening in Indian colours at the T20 World Cup. He subsequently opened in the next two clashes for India as well, where his record is quite dodgy. However, Hayden likes Kohli at the top of the order instead of his customary position of No.3, where he has racked up 3076 runs in his career, averaging 53.96.
"I said it during the IPL as well, if Kohli was going to be in the team, he needs to open. Virat at three, I don't think we'll get the best out of him. You can't just turn up and blast 250 on these wickets, you need thinking cricketers,” Hayden said.
However, Hayden did fire a warning shot at the former Indian skipper, who has a tendency to slow down with the bat post the powerplay stage. The former Australian opener added that Kohli needs to keep having great strike rates in the powerplay, a phase that has proven to be hugely influential in the outcome of the games here at the ongoing global event.
"He needs to continue to have a great strike rate," Hayden said. "We've clearly seen a pattern emerge here at the World Cup where those six overs [powerplay], you have to be in front of the game. It's too hard to catch up. If you're looking at the back-half of the game, it's trouble. You must be clinical in the first ten."
India open their Super 8 campaign against fellow Asian side Afghanistan on June 20 (Thursday) at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
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