Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli haven’t lived up to their high expectations in the ongoing T20 World Cup so far. While Rohit slammed a half-century in one of the three games played in the group stage in New York, Kohli could only register three single-digit scores as he failed to adjust to the tricky conditions.
In the Super 8 round, Rohit has scored 31 runs across two innings whereas Kohli has improve his numbers with knocks of 24 and 37 against Afghanistan and Bangladesh respectively.
As the Indian team is gearing up for its last Super 8 match against Australia on June 24, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey defended the legendary duo, saying that their contributions should not be measured by just runs.
“I think Virat has been – in the past, we’ve seen from the IPL itself and Rohit from the World Cup. I think both of them in great form. I think every game there is a certain plan that you go in with. Sometimes some individual has to take a chance, the other has to play a defending role. So, I think that’s going to happen out here, that’s what is happening. Rohit is playing his natural game,” Mhambrey said at the pre-match press conference.
“But it’s good to see that in this game especially, the intent that Virat has shown, I think that’s good to see that, good to see that intent. And I think, performance – you’ll have games like this, you’ll get a 40-odd, 50-odd run, but I think the way he went about with the intent, that was good to see. That was good-hearted. And I think that’s the intent that we want as a batting unit as well. Something that we’ve been emphasizing throughout the previous World Cup, and this World Cup as well. I think if you do not show the intent it’s good to see that intent on the ground today,” he added.
Shivam Dube has bowled only one over in the competition so far. However, Paras Mhambrey is not counting out the all-rounder’s capabilities with the ball in hand.
“See first of all, we always knew that Shivam adds bowling, maybe one or two overs. It depends on the situation where and how we can use it. But as long as right now, currently, with three seamers doing their job with three spinners, it’s difficult to get him over or so. But one thing that we’re definitely doing is working in the nets, consistently working on the bowling. The conversations is going, still have those kind of conversation knowing that maybe in a game going ahead, one of the games he will play a critical role. Maybe only six balls, maybe only over, but that will be very important over for us. So, preparation is going on. I think he’s in the right frame of mind. He’s working on his bowling, so good to see that. But if the situation does arise, I’m sure he’s prepared for it,” he remarked.
