Opening stand crucial for winning T20 World Cup in Australia: BCCI president Roger Binny

With India just one win away from sealing the semifinal spot, BCCI president Roger Binny said that the opening partnership will be crucial for India's chances if they are to win back the World Cup.

While talking to media persons in Chennai, Binny reckoned that if the openers provided a strong start there was a better chance of the team winning matches.

"The powerplay is one of the important areas. I think the openers have to give us a strong start. If we get that good start, there's a better chance of winning. Any team is comfortable chasing, they are not happy to bat first.

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"Most teams prefer to chase down the total because the wickets are such, it keeps getting slower and slower as the game goes on," Binny said in response to a query on what the batters' approach should be during the powerplay.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have failed to give India a good start in the four matches played so far. The 23-run partnership against South Africa for the opening wicket is the highest stand for India in the ongoing World Cup Down Under.

India opening stand

• vs PAK: 7 runs
• vs NED: 11 runs
• vs SA: 23 runs
• vs BAN: 11 runs