Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels it will be imperative for Virat Kohli to get back into form in the all-important semifinal clash against England in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Kohli has managed only 66 runs in six matches at an average of 11 in the ongoing T20I showpiece.
It is well known that Kohli has all the experience under his belt and he is going to hold the key for the Men in Blue against England. The talisman is a big-match player and he will look to deliver the goods in this mega clash.
Kohli has proved his mettle on numerous occasions and it will be pivotal that he provides a good start to his team along with Rohit Sharma.
“I feel Rohit Sharma is there to protect the Indian team and Kohli’s bat will finally have to talk now. We will need protection from not one but two players in opening. Since it’s a 125 to 130-run match, it’s great if Rohit fires, and even if he doesn’t, I am thinking 20-25 runs from everyone,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra noted a collective batting performance should hold India in good stead against England.
“I feel you should reach 130-135 somehow if you get to bat first. In such a scenario, small contributions become extremely valuable. Whether it’s Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya or Shivam Dube, we want small performances from all of them, and it should work out with that,” Chopra elaborated.
The renowned commentator feels a low-scoring game will favor the Indian team. India had lost to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal after posting 168 runs on the board.
“When we see these conditions, we are not at all discussing that we are playing different kind of cricket. We played extremely conservative cricket against England last time. So we made a mistake there but this time when it’s going to be just a 120 to 130-run game, that is right down our alley. I feel we will be able to manage that,” he said.
Chopra reckons Indian captain Rohit Sharma will want to bat first if he wins the toss against England.
“The Indian team will firstly bat first after winning the toss because runs are not scored on this ground. The average score is 120-odd. A rank-turner pitch has been prepared. It’s looking like a slightly underprepared pitch. This is not a 160-run pitch unless someone has rolled it with water,” Chopra reasoned.
India will take on England in the second semifinal at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Thursday.
