Rohit Sharma the captain of the Indian cricket team along with the stellar Virat Kohli dedicated their time at the nets in Barbados on Tuesday gearing up for the commencement of the Super 8 phase of the T20 World Cup. Team India is poised to battle Afghanistan in an intense showdown on Thursday June 20.
The former champions find themselves primed for a stern test from the quality Afghanistan spinners initiating a process that sees Rohit and Kohli meticulously honing their skills in executing sweeps and reversesweeps.
In a video aired by Star Sports, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen batting in adjacent nets against Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, attempting to devise a strategy against the Afghanistan spinners. Along with sweeps and reverse sweeps, Kohli was also spotted unleashing the slog-sweep, a stroke he used often in the IPL 2024 with great success.
Here’s the video:
India might kick off their tournament in the West Indies against Afghanistan. The change in conditions could shake up their strategy possibly leading to adjustments in their lineup. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal might come into the picture as India considers fielding three spinners.
Cricket expert backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s opening combination
In the ongoing T20 World Cup Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as Indias opening batsmen have only managed partnerships of 22 12 and merely a single run. Despite these humble beginnings the cricket experts are optimistic about the duo hitting their peak during the crucial stages of the tournament. Among these supporters is former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Wasim Jaffer revealed how the circumstances in New York had a significant role in Rohit and Kohli’s underperformance. He is confident that Kohli would score the most runs in the competition.
“Rohit and Virat have been playing on the tough New York pitch so they aren’t quite among the top run-scorers. But do not write off Virat Kohli. As the tournament will get to its business end, he will show his true colors and he will show his greatness. I had picked Virat Kohli as the highest run-scorer and I will stick to him.”
Wasim Jaffer
India will face Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in their Super 8 group. The teams who finish in the top two will advance to the semifinals.