"He's going to put his hand up and say OK, I'm going to do this for Team India"- Irfan Pathan backs Virat Kohli to fire in rest of 2024 T20 World Cup
Former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has backed star batter Virat Kohli to break out of his slump in the remainder of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 35-year-old struggled in the group stage with a dismal 5 runs at an average of 1.66 in three games.
Despite Kohli's surprising struggles, Team India won all three completed matches and comfortably qualified for the Super 8. The ace batter is the all-time leading run-scorer in T20 World Cup history and entered the tournament after a sparkling IPL 2024 season.
On the eve of India's Super Eight opener against Afghanistan on June 19, Pathan said on 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."
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."
Kohli began the 2024 T20 World Cup with a 5-ball 1 against Ireland, followed by another low score of 4 from 3 against arch-rivals Pakistan. Things went from bad to worse when the champion batter registered a golden duck in India's next outing against the USA.
"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 felt the Men in Blue must try not to be overly aggressive against Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan. He stressed that they must wait for the loose deliveries in their Super 9 opener at Barbados on June 20.
The wily spinner has been in terrific form thus far in the tournament, picking up 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," said Rayudu.
Despite his outstanding overall record, Rashid hasn't picked up a wicket against India. He has conceded runs at an economy of 8.62 in his two previous T20I matches.
The two sides met earlier this year in a bilateral T20I series where India emerged victorious 3-0. However, Rashid missed out on partaking in the series due to injury.