Suresh Raina also picked wicketkeeping option between Karthik and Pant for India.
Former Indian batter Suresh Raina believes that Pakistan is one of the strongest teams participating in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022, and if Team India manages to beat the arch-rivals in their tournament opener, then the Men in Blue will definitely clinch the title in Australia.
He also opened up about Mohammad Shami’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad, as well as his preferred choice between Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik for the wicketkeeper’s role. Raina also explained the impact of the star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on the team.
Suresh Raina told NDTV: “Definitely, if we win the opening game against Pakistan, we will win the World Cup. The team is doing well right now. Shami has replaced Bumrah, it will give the side a bit of X-factor. We have Arshdeep Singh, Suryakumar Yadav. Everyone is in good form, Virat Kohli is looking really good. Rohit Sharma is a very good leader, if we win the first match, it will set a good tone for us. Everyone in the country is praying for them and I really want them to win the World Cup.”
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Speaking on Shami replacing Jasprit Bumrah in India’s T20 World Cup squad, the former batter said: “I would not call him a perfect replacement because you cannot replace Jasprit Bumrah or Ravindra Jadeja. They have played consistently for India and they have given performances.”
Raina, added: “Shami has given good performances, he has been in good form. BCCI have done really well in sending the team to Australia 15 days prior to the tournament. The grounds are big, overall, I think the preparation has been nice. We will need to play fearless cricket and show good intent.”
Meanwhile, the former Indian batter backed Pant over Karthik to play in the T20 World Cup 2022 because of his being a left-handed batter who gives the team an X-factor.
Raina further explained: “Dinesh Karthik has been in good form and he has given good performances. But if Rishabh Pant is there in the side, it provides you with that X-factor because he is a left-handed batter. We saw how Gautam Gambhir performed in the 2007 T20 World Cup. Yuvraj Singh had six 6s. Then in the 2011 World Cup, both of them played a big role. So, I think, being a left-handed batter gives you that advantage. Rishabh knows how to hit 6s from the first ball. If he gets a chance, he will definitely do well.”
He said that India’s batting line-up is strong enough to trouble the bowlers in the tournament. He further noted KL Rahul will be a big plus for the Indian team at the top. Raina said, “KL Rahul is one of the best batters as he can control the game. If he scores 40 runs in 30 balls, then also I think he can cover up for it. Between Rohit and Rahul, one will need to go after the bowling.
Strike-rate matters in the shortest format and this is why Suryakumar Yadav will be really important in the middle phase. Suryakumar and Virat will play in that period, the grounds are big, so running between the wickets would be important. I think the team is solid and, in the end, the intent will be really important.”
Speaking on the absence of Jadeja in T20 World Cup 2022, the former cricketer said, “What I will miss the most about him is his fielding. He can be a game-changer in the field, he takes game-changing catches and brings about game-changing run-outs. Hardik Pandya would run at every position.”
He signed off by saying, “Other teams have gun fielders, we have Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya as good fielders. But what about the rest? On bigger grounds, you need to have a good throwing arm. Fielders make the match, Virat Kohli is a brilliant fielder but Hardik Pandya, the kind of energy he brings to the side, would be really important.”
(With NDTV Inputs)