Opposite to the prevalent notion of it as a backward step, former India all-rounder Suresh Raina on Thursday termed the choice of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli into the nationwide squad for the T20I sequence towards Afghanistan as a clever name with the World Cup quick approaching.
Rohit and Kohli had been included in India’s T20 squad after a spot of 14 months, and Raina mentioned their presence will give the squad plenty of solidity.
“Should you take a look at the World Cup venues (within the USA and the West Indies), the wicket might be a bit tough. India will want the expertise of Rohit and Kohli there. Kohli is about to make 12,000 runs in T20 cricket.
So, their presence will increase India’s batting. Their presence will definitely higher India’s probabilities to win the T20 WC,” mentioned Raina, now an professional with JioCinema and Sports18, in a choose interplay.
“Their type within the ODI World Cup was excellent, and Rohit brings in plenty of intent to the dressing room because the chief as nicely.”
Raina opined that Kohli ought to bat at No. 3, leaving the opening slots to Rohit and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
“I believe Kohli ought to bat at No. 3. His expertise will usher in some solidity, particularly within the difficult pitches within the US and the Caribbean. There are fearless, younger cricketers like Jaiswal, Rinku Singh or Shubman Gill however Rohit and Kohli will give the unit plenty of solidity.
Their presence is essential once we chase a goal particularly in a high-pressure occasion just like the World Cup,” mentioned Raina.
The previous middle-order batter, who was a part of India’s World Cup wins in 2007 and 2011, was delighted to see the progress of Rinku Singh.
“Rinku has finished nicely within the obtainable alternatives for him and he confirmed plenty of presence of thoughts as a finisher as nicely. He’s a fearless cricketer.
“You will need to have him round and if Rishabh Pant will get slot in time (for WC), then the workforce may have one other match-winner,” mentioned Raina.
The 37-year-old backed Sanju Samson as his main alternative for the wicketkeeper batsman position and referred to as the Kerala participant the X-Issue.
“Sanju has made an exquisite hundred towards South Africa lately. He’s undoubtedly a captain materials as his thoughts is ticking on a regular basis whereas on the sector. We’ve got some excellent choices for wicketkeeper-batter position — KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Pant every time he comes again after getting match.”
In that context, Raina hoped Samson would give you a superb outing towards the Afghans and within the IPL 2024.
“I choose to have Sanju within the middle-order as a result of he has plenty of pictures. He performs these pick-up pictures towards pacers from the size. Hopefully, he performs nicely within the IPL too earlier than the selectors sit down to pick the workforce for the T20 World Cup.
So, it’s a good probability for Sanju towards Afghanistan, and he might be our X-Issue within the World Cup,” he detailed.
Raina mentioned India is not going to have it simple towards Afghanistan within the three-match T20I sequence, and the batters must put the visiting bowlers underneath stress.
“India batsmen must assault Afghan spinners. They’ve high quality spinners like Noor Ahmad and Abid Nabi, so it will not be simple for us. Afghanistan makes use of their spinners nicely within the Energy Play.
We’ve got Rohit, Kohli, and Gill, who performs spin very nicely. So, we now have to assault them from the beginning and it’ll maintain the Afghan bowlers underneath stress,” he concluded.
