Dublin: Virat Kohli will open the innings for Team India in their first match of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup against Ireland on June 5 in New York.
In a recent warm-up match against Bangladesh, the New York pitch displayed significant bounce, posing challenges for the Indian openers. Despite the tough conditions, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya managed to perform well. India’s bowlers, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dubey, also excelled, taking two wickets each, leading Rohit Sharma’s team to a 60-run victory.
Kohli, who had been resting after the Indian Premier League, has rejoined the squad. His performance is expected to be crucial, according to former Indian player Mohammad Kaif. “The pitch in the warm-up had a spongy bounce and was not easy for batting. I expect a similar surface in the match against Ireland,” Kaif noted.
The team’s success will heavily rely on how Kohli and the other players adapt to the challenging pitch conditions. All eyes will be on Kohli as he takes on the opening role in this important match.