'Virat Kohli has to do it or he does not play': Rohit Sharma given clear-cut directive by Hayden

The T20 extravaganza officially kicks off in the United States and the Caribbean Islands as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. A lot of the attention will remain on Team India, who will play all of their group-stage matches in the USA. The Indian Cricket Team showcased a lot of grit and tenacity when they went against Bangladesh in warm-ups and will set their foot on the group stage matches. A lot of debate has taken place over India's Playing XI, and one of the legendary cricketers, Matthew Hayden, puts thought into his Playing XI for India and issued a directive on Virat Kohli's role in the team.

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Ex-AUS star puts Rohit in the middle, assesses Virat Kohli's do-or-drop role as he determines his preferred Playing XI

Former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden, during his interaction with ESPNCricinfo, shared his preferred Playing XI ahead of the Men in Blue's group-stage opener match. He stressed having a left-right hand combination on the top order and said that either Virat will open for the side or he has no place in the Playing XI.

“You have to have a left-right combination. You can't have five right-handers in a row. Australia would just say hello to Zampa. Kohli has to open or he does not play in my team. He is in absolute red-hot form,” Hayden said.

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Rohit Sharma's ranking was further established by Matthew Hayden, who placed him at number four in the playing XI and stated that the captain would be most effective leading the Men in Blue from the middle of the order.

“Rohit is a versatile player and does not shy away from batting away in that middle order. He has a successful record in T20I cricket batting at No. 4 and he can lead the batting group from the early middle order,” The former Australian cricketer added.

The Indian Cricket Team will be in action against Ireland in their first group stage match in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, which will take place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.