Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has noted that it has been a very cold World Cup for India’s openers – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While Kohli ended IPL 2024 as the highest run-getter, Rohit was also in decent form for Mumbai Indians in the first phase of the tournament.
However, both of them have not been able to carry the same form in the T20I showpiece. Rohit Sharma has scored 99 runs in five matches of World Cup at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 124.31 whereas Kohli has managed only 66 runs in five games at an average of 13.20.
Meanwhile, Rohit scored 23 runs off 11 balls against Bangladesh in the last game while Virat Kohli added 37 runs off 28 balls.
“The captain and our other opener Virat Kohli’s form looks good now. The ball has started hitting the middle of the bat, although if we look at it based on their standards, it’s been a very cold World Cup for both of them. So I am expecting them to play slightly longer knocks,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra wants Rishabh Pant to avoid playing the reverse sweep against Australia’s leg-spinner Adam Zampa. Pant has been dismissed in the last two matches while trying to play the same shot against Rashid Khan and Rishad Hossain.
“Rishabh Pant is looking good. Don’t play the reverse sweep and definitely not against Zampa. It won’t make a difference if we leave one or two balls. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube now look in good form. So those things are looking very, very good,” Chopra observed.
The renowned commentator also shared his concern regarding Ravindra Jadeja’s form. Jadeja has been wicketless in the tournament and bowled short against Bangladesh.
“However, there is one thing on my mind. That is Ravindra Jadeja’s personal form, although if you check against Australia and Maxwell, you will find that his numbers have been very good. With the ball, he has been very, very good. So you expect him to do well but thus far he has been bowling too fast and too short, and such balls get hit,” he elaborated.
India will next take on Australia at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Monday.
