Brian Lara believes that Virat Kohli has been doing a fine job in terms of strike rate as an opener

Virat Kohli smashed his eighth century in the IPL, the most number of hundreds by any player in the history of the tournament. However, following that innings, there were a few questions asked as the strike rate at which Kohli scored wasn’t appreciated by a few fans and experts. However, one of the greatest of all time, Brian Lara, opened up on this debate and he is pretty happy with how the Indian run-machine has played.

Opening the innings alongside Faf du Plessis against RR, Virat smashed 113 off just 72 balls at a strike rate of 156.94. The iconic southpaw was firm about his belief that this number should be good enough for VK to be a part of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Talking in the Star Sports Press Room, Brian Lara said, “The strike rate depends on position, and for an opener strike-rate of 130-140 is pretty alright. But if you are coming in the middle-order then you may be required to hit at 150 or 160. As you have seen in this IPL, batsmen are hitting at 200 in the latter part of an innings.”

He also shed some light about what should be India’s top three in the upcoming T20 World Cup, stating, “An opener like Kohli always has the chance of starting at 130, bat through the overs and finish at 160 or even higher, which is alright. But if you ask me, India's top three in the World Cup should be Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill irrespective of all these. And for RCB, it should not be about one person, as it has to be a team effort.”

He concluded by stating, “I think Rohit and Virat going as openers to the West Indies (for WC) will serve India very well. Though, I think that you should have some youthful punch in the opening. One of the younger players, showing their mettle, and having one of those experienced players shepherd the innings in the middle-order. Having that whole experience up front, it could have a negative effect if they get dismissed early, so I will use one at top, but use the other at No. 3.”