Former Indian chief selector Kris Srikkanth believes that Virat Kohli will play a major role as an anchor in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, just like Gautam Gambhir did in India’s successful campaign in the 2011 World Cup at home.
Sharing his thoughts on how the Indian cricket team should approach the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2023, the former cricketer said that the squad must have batting and bowling all-rounders.
Kris Srikkanth said on Star Sports: “Just like Gautam Gambhir has played a major role of anchor in the past, the same way Virat Kohli will play that role this time around. He will help players like Ishan Kishan excel just as he got a century when Kishan got a double century. It’s all about freedom, giving your players the freedom, do what you want, play your game even if you get out, that’s the approach the team should have.”
He further said that the players should be given clarity about their roles ahead of the tournament. The former opener continued, “What role clarity do we need to give them? Look at Ishan Kishan for example, how he hits the ball, he has even scored a double century recently. Just tell these players to go out there and play your game, don’t restrict them.
Just like Ishan Kishan, you need two or three more players who aren’t afraid to express themselves, that’s number one. All-rounders, batting all-rounders, bowling all-rounders are required in this line-up. There should be a combination of these players in the team. And what about ODI cricket?”
On being asked who he would exclude/include in the shortlisted players for the 2023 World Cup, Srikkanth said: “Two of the players won’t be in my list, Shubhman Gill and Shardul Thakur. If you want my pacers they would be Bumrah, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh and Mohmmed Siraj. Four medium pacers are enough. Shami would be a so-so.”
The 1983 World Cup winner further noted, “I’m speaking as a chairman of selectors and not a fan, I would instead bring in Hooda. And I believe these are the guys that will win matches, what do you want? You want to win matches, you need horses like Yusuf Pathan who will win you matches single handedly. Even if they win you three of the ten matches that’s enough.
Do not expect consistency from these players. We have a player like that in this times squad, Rishabh Pant, do not expect consistency from him. I don’t want consistency, I want to win matches, and if these guys can do it single handedly then great. Who will do that for you? Rishabh Pant will do that for you.”
Srikkanth signed off by saying “Just two important players we need, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. Ravindra Jadeja is very important and also Deepak Hooda. Washington Sundar is definitely a certainty in my opinion, Axar Patel maybe a certainty.”
(With Star Sports Inputs)
