Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed confidence that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will deliver crucial performances for Team India in the upcoming Super 8 fixtures of the ICC T20 World Cup, despite their subdued form in Group A matches.
Kohli, known for his batting prowess, failed to reach double-digit scores in the Group A clashes, while Rohit Sharma managed a significant half-century against Ireland but struggled in other matches against Pakistan and the United States of America (USA).
Manjrekar highlighted that the duo’s ability to play match-winning innings in critical encounters makes them pivotal figures in India’s campaign at the T20 World Cup. Speaking to news agency PTI, he credited the team management, led by coach Rahul Dravid, for promoting Rishabh Pant to the No. 3 position in the batting lineup.
“They (team management) want more and more impact players, at every position down the order and Rishabh Pant, I didn’t expect him to be batting at No. 3, and what a brilliant move it has turned out to be,” Manjrekar commented, referencing Pant’s impressive performance, particularly noting his crucial role starting from the warm-up game against Bangladesh.
Pant has emerged as India’s standout performer in the tournament, leading the team’s batting charts with 96 runs in three matches. “Pant has showed his class. He has been India’s best batter in this tournament so far,” Manjrekar remarked, emphasizing Pant’s adaptability and skill under challenging conditions.
Reflecting on the team’s strategy, Manjrekar pointed out the balance brought by Pant’s left-handed batting at No. 3, contrasting it with India’s previous campaigns where they relied heavily on right-handed batsmen.
As India progresses into the Super 8 stage after topping Group A, Manjrekar expressed optimism that Kohli and Rohit will rediscover their form when it matters most, aiming to guide the 2007 champions towards lifting the prestigious T20 World Cup trophy in the Caribbean.
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