Irfan Pathan defended Virat Kohli’s selection in the T20 World Cup squad, praising his big-match temperament and record in run chases.
Virat Kohli’s red-hot form in the ongoing IPL has silenced doubts about his selection in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Despite some questioning his strike rate, all the cricket experts, including former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan, had him in their predicted line-ups.
Pathan, now a commentator, went a step further, backing the ‘chase master’ and predicting his crucial role in tight chases during the World Cup. “When the situation demands it, Virat Kohli is the player who stands alone. There will be a moment during the World Cup when we’ll need someone to chase down a target, and that person will be Virat Kohli,” Pathan said on Star Sports, as quoted by the Times of India.
Pathan further emphasised Kohli’s exceptional record in chases, which earned him the nickname “chase master.” He cited the India vs. Pakistan match in the Melbourne T20 World Cup, where Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 balls played a pivotal role in India’s four-wicket victory.
“Pick all the big matches, especially when chasing; you won’t find a bigger player than him in T20 cricket. He has a calculative mind. He is like, ‘You keep talking about strike rate; I will keep talking about chasing runs and the target.’ Never doubt Virat Kohli,” said Pathan of the veteran Indian batter.
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Pathan echoed these sentiments even before the squad announcement. “I was saying the same thing even when the squad was not yet selected. He is a big-match player, a World Cup player. When the World Cup comes, he will have an impact,” concluded Irfan. Notably, Kohli has already surpassed the 500-run mark in the IPL, including a century and four fifties, with a strike rate of over 147.
The T20 World Cup kicks off on June 2nd, co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA. India’s journey begins with a match against Ireland on June 5th in New York, followed by their highly anticipated clash against Pakistan at the same venue on June 9th.
Last Updated on May 3, 2024
