Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels India will try to score 140-150 every game and not aim for 200-210 in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, given slow pitch conditions. Run-scoring has been tough so far in the T20I showpiece, especially at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
Furthermore, the pitches in the West Indies are also expected to be on the slow side. India has often been criticized by many cricket boffins about their sedate approach in the T20I format and it will be interesting to note the team’s strategy.
On Monday, Sri Lanka was skittled out for a paltry score of 77 runs against South Africa in New York.
Pathan reckons Virat Kohli will hold the key for India in the T20I showpiece as he has all the experience.
Speaking to Star Sports, Irfan Pathan said, “Kohli will have a lead role in setting the template on these kind of pitches and determining what could be a good score for the team as per the conditions. You may also see India try to score 140-150 every game and not aim to go past the 200-210 mark. If they score it then well and good, but the idea would be to get past that 150-run mark.”
Along with Kohli, Pathan also feels Rohit Sharma’s experience will be vital for the Indian team.
“You need experience in World Cups, especially in tricky conditions where the ball is moving around off the pitch. In such times, you need players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have done it on the big stage. These mature players do not think about the strike rate. They focus on winning the game for the team, and even if it is with a strike rate of 120 or 150, it doesn’t matter,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli was once again at his absolute best for RCB, scoring 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69 in IPL 2024 while opening the innings.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma was Mumbai Indians’ top-scorer with 417 runs in 14 matches of IPL 2024 as he scored his runs at an average of 32.08 and a strike rate of 150.
India will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5th.
