"He always has an attacking mindset" - Suresh Raina on whether Virat Kohli will be expected to adopt a more attacking approach in T20Is
Suresh Raina feels Virat Kohli doesn't need to change his batting approach when he makes a return to India's T20I side.
The Men in Blue defeated Afghanistan by six wickets in the first T20I of a three-match series in Mohali on Thursday. Kohli missed the game due to personal reasons and is expected to be a part of the playing XI in the second game in Indore on Sunday.
During a discussion on JioCinema, Raina was asked whether Kohli will be expected to adopt a more attacking approach in T20Is. He responded:
"He always has an attacking mindset, the way he controls the innings. 20 overs is a big format. People feel it is a very short format but you still need to play 20 overs. We will be playing the World Cup in the Caribbean and America, the wickets will be slightly challenging. They will be slightly spin-friendly and slow."
While praising Kohli's prowess in run chases, the former India all-rounder added that the former skipper's mere presence at the crease will ensure that the Men in Blue post a mammoth total. He elaborated:
"India have won 17 of their last 19 matches while chasing when Kohli was there. When you chase, you do the calculations in your mind, and that's why he is called a chase master. He will show intent but if Virat Kohli even stands there for 20 overs, 225-230 will be scored."
Kohli has amassed 4008 runs in 115 T20Is at an excellent average of 52.73 and an equally impressive strike rate of 137.96. He has aggregated 1983 runs at an outstanding average of 73.44 and a strike rate of 136.47 in 45 innings in T20I run chases.
"They are the backbone" - Pragyan Ojha on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's importance to India
![Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are the top two run-getters in T20Is. [P/C: Getty]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/01/340e7-17051244566073-1920.jpg?w=500)
Pragyan Ojha was asked about Virat Kohli's importance to India in the shortest format. He replied:
"He is extremely important. The names you are taking, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, they are the backbone. We saw how Virat Kohli won us the match in Australia at the MCG. When you need that experience, we see what these players can do."
The former India spinner added that Kohli and Rohit Sharma lend much-needed experience to the side. He said:
"They give cushion to the youngsters. Players with less experience start stumbling in such situations. So you need such players to create the balance. So Kohli probably creates that cushion. I feel these two players are there for matches where the team needs a lot of experience."
Kohli has played only three T20Is in the West Indies, scoring 112 runs at an average of 37.33 and a strike rate of 141.77. The modern batting great does not have an impressive record in the United States, aggregating 63 runs at an average of 21.00 and a strike rate of 103.27 in three T20I innings.