“Left-right combination at the top, Kohli at 3” – Matthew Hayden on India’s ‘excellent’ balance heading into 2024 T20 World Cup

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has shed light on India’s strengths going into the 2024 T20 World Cup. Hayden wants a left-right combination at the top of the order and backed in-form Virat Kohli to bat at number three.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to open the innings. Furthermore, Virat Kohli was once again at his absolute best for RCB, scoring 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69. Kohli is currently the highest run-getter of the tournament and he is likely to get the Orange Cap award.

Hayden feels the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has picked the right squad as they have selected four spinners for slow conditions in the West Indies.

“Excellent balance for Team India. Three (four) spinners in the squad, which I think is a good strategy for the West Indian conditions, not so sure about that up in the Americas. A superb and experienced batting lineup, left and right-hand combination at the top, Kohli at three,” Matthew Hayden said on Star Sports show Follow the Blues.

Hayden added India could have picked T Natarajan as he has been in good form while bowling in the death overs for Sunrisers Hyderabad. The left-arm seamer is SRH’s highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 23.50 and an economy rate of 9.12 in IPL 2024.

“Rohit Sharma as a leader – well settled, well organized, gone through many campaigns before. Fast bowlers in Bumrah and Siraj, I think strong selections. Would have liked to probably see a Natarajan, someone at the death that could come in and deliver like he has done in the IPL. However, overall very balanced and very good squad,” Hayden explained.

Hayden added that India has world-class innovative batters like Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant.

“Its strength is its world-class innovative batters. When you look at the squad, you think of Suryakumar Yadav, you think of Jaiswal – they do stuff differently than players of any other generation or any other talent. The X-factor will be Rishabh Pant. He is also a huge bonus,” he replied.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5th.