Mohammad Irfan, a former Pakistani fast bowler, has strongly criticized those questioning Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s spot in the team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to The Telegraph, reports are suggesting that the Indian selectors are considering excluding Kohli from the squad for the significant tournament. This decision comes despite the 35-year-old’s comeback to the Indian T20I squad after a 14-month absence for the Afghanistan series at the beginning of 2024.
Kohli holds the record for the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, accumulating 1,141 runs in 27 matches with an impressive average of over 81. Speaking on News24, Irfan criticized those who doubt Kohli’s abilities, questioning their understanding of the game.
“He won the matches in recent times, it’s not fair to raise questions on his place. Those questioning Virat Kohli’s place in the T20 World Cup belong in gully cricket. I don’t have any second thoughts about it, you can’t make your team without Virat Kohli because he is a very big batsman,” said Irfan.
Irfan also highlighted Kohli’s pivotal role in securing victories for India during last year’s ODI World Cup, emphasizing his significance to the team.
“We all saw what he did in the ODI World Cup last year, Virat Kohli won 3-4 matches in the World Cup for India on his own. If Kohli didn’t step up on that occasion, India would have lost 3-4 matches including group-stage matches against Australia and New Zealand where India lost early wickets. He finished the match on his own,” added Irfan.
Kohli emerged as the top run-getter of the tournament, setting a single-edition record by amassing 765 runs at an average of 95.62, which included three centuries. Additionally, he also led the batting charts in the preceding T20 World Cup in 2022, tallying 296 runs at an average of nearly 99.
“In T20 cricket, having a high strike rate is essential”- Mohammad Irfan
Mohammad Irfan reiterated the significance of strike rates in T20 cricket, highlighting its impact on the following batters. He noted the declining role of steady batsmen in the shortest format, with aggressive hitters now preferred, even in the top and middle order.
“Strike rate is crucial in T20 format, if you play more balls then the pressure starts mounting on your team. If you score 30 off 10 balls then the next batsman will feel less pressure but if you score run-a-ball then things will be difficult for other batters,” said Irfan.
The T20 World Cup has been won twice by both the West Indies and England, while India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia have each claimed victory once in the prestigious tournament. The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup kicks off with the U.S.A. taking on Canada in Dallas, Texas, on June 1st.
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