Backing the star batter Virat Kohli to overcome his performance slump in the remaining matches of the 2024 T20 World Cup former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan confidently expressed his belief in Virat Kohli’s capabilities. Struggling in the group stage Kohli could only muster a paltry 5 runs averaging 1.66 across three games.
Despite Virat Kohli’s unexpected problems, Team India won all three completed matches and comfortably advanced to the Super 8. The ace batter is the all-time highest run scorer in T20 World Cup history, coming off a successful IPL 2024 season.
On the eve of India’s Super Eight opener against Afghanistan on June 19, Irfan Pathan told Star Sports:
“He knows how to stand up in big matches, isn’t it? That’s what makes him really, really special. He’s a special player and I’m sure he’s going to put his hand up and say OK, I’m going to do this for Team India and when the time comes, especially the big matches, we always have seen from Virat Kohli that he performs.”
Irfan Pathan
He added:
“Just wait and watch, the slog sweep will come out now. He will definitely use those shots because, look, those conditions in New York. But now things will be different and you’ll see a real Virat Kohli coming to the fore.”
Irfan Pathan
Virat Kohli started the 2024 T20 World Cup with a 5-ball 1 against Ireland, followed by a low score of 4 from 3 against archrival Pakistan. Things became worse when the champion batter recorded a golden duck in India’s following match against the United States.
“He gives you that one or two balls that you really need to capitalise” – Ambati Rayudu on how India must tackle Rashid Khan
Another former Indian cricketer, Ambati Rayudu, said the Men in Blue should avoid being excessively aggressive against Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan. He emphasized that they must wait for loose deliveries in their Super 9 opener against Barbados on June 20.
The wily spinner has been in excellent form so far in the competition, taking six wickets at an average of 16.50 and an economy of 6.18 in four games.
“I think the biggest challenge against Rashid Khan is to try and be too aggressive against him. That is where you land in trouble and as a batter you need to just wait for those loose balls and he gives you that one or two balls that you really need to capitalise. And also after his injury I don’t think his pace is the same.”So you have enough time now and people have been getting after Rashid and also the Indian batsman know him very well.”
Ambati Rayudu
Despite his great overall record, Rashid has yet to take a wicket against India. In his previous two T20Is, he conceded runs at an economy rate of 8.62.
In a captivating bilateral T20I series earlier this year India emerged as the triumphant team securing a remarkable 30 victory. Regrettably Rashid Khan was sidelined from the series due to an unfortunate injury.