"It's been a very cold World Cup for both of them" - Aakash Chopra on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli heading into IND vs AUS 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Aakash Chopra has noted that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have endured a lean 2024 T20 World Cup, especially from their lofty standards. The former India batter urged the opening duo to play substantial knocks in India's Super 8 clash against Australia.
The two teams will square off in their final Group 1 game in Saint Lucia on Monday, June 24. Rohit and Kohli have aggregated 99 and 66 runs at averages of 24.75 and 13.20, respectively, in five innings apiece in the ongoing edition.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra picked bigger contributions from Rohit and Virat with the willow as one of his expectations from Monday's game.
"The captain and our other opener Virat Kohli's form looks good now. The ball has started hitting the middle of the bat, although if we look at it based on their standards, it's been a very cold World Cup for both of them. So I am expecting them to play slightly longer knocks," he said (9:50).
The former India opener advised Rishabh Pant to refrain from playing the reserve sweep, especially against Adam Zampa.
"Rishabh Pant is looking good. Don't play the reverse sweep and definitely not against Zampa. It won't make a difference if we leave one or two balls. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube now look in good form. So those things are looking very, very good," Chopra observed.
Pant (152) is India's highest run-scorer in the 2024 T20 World Cup. While Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 27 deliveries, Shivam Dube scored a crucial 24-ball 34 in the Men in Blue's last game against Bangladesh.
"Ravindra Jadeja's personal form" - Aakash Chopra on a concern area for India
Aakash Chopra picked Ravindra Jadeja's indifferent form as a concern area and expressed hope that he would live up to his impressive numbers against Australia, particularly Glenn Maxwell.
"However, there is one thing on my mind. That is Ravindra Jadeja's personal form, although if you check against Australia and Maxwell, you will find that his numbers have been very good. With the ball, he has been very, very good. So you expect him to do well but thus far he has been bowling too fast and too short, and such balls get hit," he elaborated (10:25).
The cricketer-turned-commentator urged India not to make any changes to their playing XI and ensure that Australia are sent packing from the tournament.
"Travis Head has had problems against left-armers. I feel he will have a lot of issues if he comes to bat second. So I am thinking no changes whatsoever. You should go with the same team. Rohit, just win the toss and bat first, reach around 170, pack Australia's bags here itself, and send them home," Chopra stated.
Referring to Ravichandran Ashwin's social media post lauding India's approach, Chopra noted that the Men in Blue need to play according to the conditions and situation. He added that Rohit Sharma and company should avoid losing wickets in clusters and that an over-aggressive approach can prove counterproductive if the conditions are bowler-friendly.