'Shouldn’t be any question regarding his place or strike rate" - Irfan Pathan picks Virat Kohli in Team India's top three for the 2024 T20 World Cup
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan picked his preferred Team India top order for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which includes ace batter Virat Kohli. The top three have been a subject of intense debate ever since the conclusion of the previous T20 World Cup, where the Men in Blue were eliminated in the semi-final stage.
The number of candidates for the slots have astronomically increased since then, and the selectors have a real headache in terms of narrowing it down. Rohit Sharma's spot at the top is sealed by virtue of being the captain, but his opening partner as well as the crucial No.3 spot is still to have a final ruling.
Virat Kohli's prowess at No.3 needs no mentioning, but the manner with which the shortest format has evolved, there have been some serious doubts regarding his place. However, the ace batter has certainly eased some minds with his belligerent approach in the 2024 IPL.
Irfan Pathan vouched for Kohli's inclusion, backed with some data, and chose Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rohit Sharma's opening partner.
"Now that World Cup is nearing. My top 3 for team India. 1) Rohit Sharma (in form as well as captain) 2) Yashasvi Jaiswal (been saying that he should be there even before his 100 purely cos he was performing well for team India before the ipl) 3) Virat Kohli. (Shouldn’t be any question regarding his place or strike rate. His strike rate at the T20I is 138 + Better than Chris Gayle+ 51 avg. N his ipl strike rate this season is 150)," Irfan Pathan posted on Twitter.
Yashasvi Jaiswal struggled in the first half of the 2024 IPL campaign but announced his return to form with a sublime hundred in the Rajasthan Royals' (RR) convincing nine-wicket win over the Mumbai Indians (MI). This means that all of Pathan's proposed top three for the 2024 T20 World Cup have scored hundreds in the ongoing IPL.
Virat Kohli currently holds the Orange Cap in IPL 2024
Although he is not batting at No.3 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli has made a massive statement with his intent, matching the frenzied turn the format has taken in recent times. He has even elevated his game post the powerplay overs, where his prowess will be most required in national colors.
The right-handed batter has not been tentative against spin bowling post the powerplay phase, which was highlighted as one of his biggest flaws in T20 cricket. He has scored 379 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 150.40, with one hundred and two fifties.