In preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and New York, Aakash Chopra underlined the critical importance of Rohit Sharma and his opening partner maximizing the powerplay.
The upcoming global T20 event is set to unfold in the West Indies and the United States, with India gearing up to tackle Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States in their initial New York group encounters. Their final first-phase showdown awaits against Canada in Lauderhill.
Aakash Chopra, sharing insights on his YouTube channel, underscored the strategic importance of maximizing the powerplay in the T20 World Cup, especially in West Indies and New York, where aging balls and evolving field conditions could complicate run-scoring. Emphasizing the need for power hitters later in the innings, Chopra identified Rohit Sharma and potential partner Yashasvi Jaiswal as key figures tasked with making the most of the early overs.
“It will be extremely necessary to maximize the first six overs in West Indies and New York. As soon as the ball becomes slightly old and the field opens up, the ball will not come nicely onto the bat, and run-scoring will become slightly difficult,” Chopra said.
“Then you will need power hitters in the end because the pitches will be like that. If you see from that perspective, you need to capitalize on the first six overs, and that’s where Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will try their best to do that,” he added.
Chopra also observed Rohit Sharma’s ultra-aggressive approach in the first two T20Is against Afghanistan, noting his intent to attack every ball without settling. Despite a run-out in one match and getting out to the first ball in another, Chopra anticipates no change in Rohit’s approach for the final T20I.
“The way Rohit batted in the first two matches, it seemed like he was adopting an ultra-aggressive mode, that he would try to hit every ball and do that without getting set. I feel he will try to bat similarly. Rohit Sharma is at his very best when he is aggressive,” Chopra explained.
The former cricketer further suggests India aims for 45-55 runs in the initial six overs, with reaching 60 being ideal. He expects Rohit to contribute 35-40 runs at a strike rate of 150-175 during the T20 World Cup.
Last Updated on January 16, 2024
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