Irfan Pathan made a bold prediction, foreseeing a moment in the T20 World Cup 2024 where Virat Kohli will deliver a stunning victory for India while chasing. Irfan Pathan labelled Virat Kohli as India’s foremost match-winner in the tournament, underlining Kohli’s resilience and impact on the game.
Irfan Pathan, known for his swing bowling and left-handed batting, made a big impact in Indian cricket. Irfan Pathan played a vital role in India winning the ICC Twenty20 World Cup in 2007 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. After his retirement, Irfan Pathan found a new calling behind the microphone, captivating audiences with his insightful commentary for Star Sports. Irfan Pathan’s sharp cricketing mind and experience as a player bring a unique perspective to the Hindi commentary box.
Virat Kohli’s spot in the T20 World Cup squad was in the air. Despite concerns about his recent T20 form, the ongoing IPL allows him to silence critics. He currently sits as the second-highest run-scorer (just behind Ruturaj Gaikwad) with a whopping 500 runs in just 10 innings. This impressive tally comes at a healthy strike rate of nearly 148, showcasing a return to his aggressive batting style. He’s also shown improvement against spin, a weakness in recent years.
Indian Selectors On Virat Kohli
There was a lot of talk about whether Virat Kohli would be part of the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. Some people wondered if his style of play would fit in the fast-paced T20 format. Reports said that the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, wasn’t keen on having Kohli in the squad because of this. But when the squad was announced, Kohli’s name was there, which stopped all the guessing. Kohli showed everyone what he’s made of in the IPL 2024, scoring more than 500 runs in 10 matches and proving his worth once again.
What Irfan Pathan Said
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan praised Virat Kohli’s importance in the team, calling him India’s top match-winner. Irfan Pathan also said that during the T20 World Cup, Kohli will lead India to an impressive win with his batting skills.
“Jab wagt aata hai, yehi player akela khada hota hai, Badshah Ke Trah, Virat Kohli (when it’s required, he is the player who stands alone),” said Pathan while talking on Star Sports.
“Believe me, there will be a point during the T20 World Cup when there will be need, and the guy you will find chasing it till the end will be him, Virat Kohli.”
Pointing to Kohli’s memorable innings against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022, Pathan emphasised Kohli’s knack for performing under pressure. Kohli’s remarkable unbeaten 82 runs off 53 balls led India to a thrilling four-wicket victory, showcasing his ability to shine in crucial situations.
“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,”
“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,” Irfan Pathan added.
India is set to kick off their T20 World Cup journey against Ireland on June 5, followed by a match against Pakistan on June 9. The team will then play against the USA on June 12 and Canada on June 15. Securing a top-two position is crucial for India to advance to the Super 8s stage in the World Cup.