Cricket News

Gautam Gambhir picks his top-three for 20-20 World Cup; Virat Kohli, KL Rahul miss out

India played the second T20 international against South Africa on Sunday at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. While commentating during the games, Gautam Gambhir predicted his top-three players for the 20-20 World Cup, scheduled to be played later this year.

Gambhir suggested India should open the innings with Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Ishan Kishan didn’t have a great outing in the Indian T20 League 2022 but has played a couple of outstanding knocks in the ongoing T20 series against South Africa.

In the first T20 international, he scored 76 runs in 48 deliveries, including 11 fours and 3 sixes, and followed it with 21-ball 34. At number three, Gambhir chose Suryakumar Yadav as the perfect bet.

Interestingly, the former Indian cricketer omitted both KL Rahul and Virat Kohli from his top-three list. Notably, Virat Kohli is enduring the worst phase in his cricketing career. In the recently concluded edition of the Indian T20 League, he amassed 341 runs in 16 matches an average of 22.73.

However, KL Rahul has been India’s one of the best batters in shortest format. He was the second-highest run-getter in the Indian T20 League 2022. Thus, Gautam Gambhir’s decision to not include KL Rahul raised a few eyebrows.

“Ishan Kishan & Rohit Sharma to open, Suryakumar Yadav at number 3 for me,” said Gambhir on Star Sports.

India are currently playing against South Africa in a five-match T20 series. Both KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have been rested for the series. Rishabh Pant-led India currently trail 2-0 in the series. The Men in Blue lost the second T20 international by 4 wickets.

South Africa restricted India to 148 runs in the first innings. A collective effort from the bowlers helped them restrict India to a below par score. South Africa chased down the score in 18.2 overs, thanks to an outstanding 46-ball 81-run knock from H Klaasen.

The third T20 international is slated to be played at Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.