Virat Kohli made a comeback to the T20I cricket after 14 months.
Former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Suresh Raina believes that Virat Kohli will play a crucial role for Team India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Raina’s comments came after the Indian cricket team secured a 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series by defeating Afghanistan by six wickets at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 14. In this match, Kohli made a comeback to the format after 14 months and scored 29 runs off 16 balls.
Well, the former Indian batter Raina highlighted that Kohli's role as an anchor will be vital for the team's success in the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and the West Indies in June 2024.
Suresh Raina said on Sports18, “He will be very important (to India's World Cup plans). The biggest question now will be whether Virat Kohli would be willing to play at No. 3? Rohit Sharma wants him to play No. 3 for India, will he follow the template (in the IPL?).”
Raina further said, “Virat is trying to improve his strike rate. But I feel it’s the job of the players around him. If I were the captain, I’d tell him to do the anchor’s role because he is the kind of player who can hit boundaries and sixes any time he wants.”
The 2011 World Cup winner mentioned that India will need Kohli in the middle for long on slow surfaces in the West Indies and the USA, given the former Indian skipper’s ability to play through the 20 overs.
He further explained, “I think in this World Cup, we need Virat Kohli to stay in the middle for long. That is more important than his strike rate. We all saw he scored 765 runs in the ODI World Cup. We need him for those pitches.”
Raina signed off by saying, “The pitches are not going to be easy, it would be a little tricky with mystery spinners. You might have to find ways to get twos and quick singles if you are not able to get boundaries. One of the top 3 needs to play through 20 overs.”
(With Sports18/PTI Inputs)