"Don't want to rely on one individual" - Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli ahead of 2024 T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan
Team India captain Rohit Sharma stated that the side doesn't want to rely on only one individual while sharing this thoughts on Virat Kohli ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. Rohit admitted that Kohli was not at his best against Ireland but asserted that the former captain has the experience to deliver.
The Men in Blue take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their second T20 World Cup match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. The Men in Blue beat Ireland by eight wickets at the same venue in the opening match.
While Rohit (52 off 37) and Rishabh Pant (36* off 26) did well in a chase of 97 against Ireland, Kohli looked off color and was dismissed for 1 off five. At the pre-match press conference ahead of the mega clash against Pakistan, Rohit threw his weight behind Kohli:
"I don't want to rely on one individual to win us the game. Everyone needs to chip in. He didn't play the Bangladesh game. He didn't have a great outing in the first game, but we all know he brings in a wealth of experience."
To the surprise of many fans and experts, Pant came into bat at No. 3 in India's World Cup opener against Ireland. The Men in Blue captain confirmed that the keeper-batter will continue to bat at the one-down position.
"Watched Pant play the first few matches in the IPL and made up my mind. It was about having the right batting position. His counter-attacking skill will be helpful, given we cannot play Yashasvi [Jaiswal]," Rohit elaborated.
"He has got an all-round game. Besides the openers, none of the other batting position is fixed, unless it is a Super Over. We want to be flexible," the Indian skipper went on to add.
Playing his first international match since December 2022, Pant made a crucial contribution, hitting three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten knock.
"Nothing changes": Rohit Sharma on high-pressure game against Pakistan
India have a dominant record over their arch-rivals in World Cups. They have lost once to their neighbors in the ICC event (ODI and T20I World Cups combined). Pakistan, themselves, will be under the pump following their shock loss to co-hosts United States in their opening World Cup match.
Rohit, though, said that they would go into Sunday's match with the same level of intensity as any other game. He also commented that Pakistan have the ability to recover strongly from setbacks.
"Nothing changes. We have played them seven months back in the Asia Cup and (ODI) World Cup.
"But T20 is unpredictable. That's what T20 cricket is all about. Last World Cup, Pakistan lost to Zimbabwe but ended up playing the final. On your day, anyone can beat anyone," Rohit said.
Batting first against US, Pakistan scored 159-7. They restricted the opposition to 159-3 but lost the Super Over.