India unperturbed by Kohli strike rate before World Cup
India are confident Virat Kohli’s experience and consistency outweighs his recent unspectacular strike rate when it comes to their T20 World Cup hopesIndia insist they have no worries about allrounder Hardik Pandya’s form or batting great Virat Kohli’s strike rate heading into the T20 World Cup in June.
Pandya, when fit and in form, is India’s preferred seam-bowling allrounder and has also been retained as vice-captain of the Rohit Sharma-led squad for the T20 showpiece co-hosted by the United States and West Indies.
Returning from an ankle injury suffered during the 50-over World Cup last year, the 30-year-old has struggled with bat and ball in the Indian Premier League.
Under his captaincy, five-times champions Mumbai Indians have slipped to ninth place in the 10-team league and will need a miracle to make the playoffs.
“The good part is he’s got through all the games for MI and we’ve got another month and a little bit until we play our first game,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar told reporters in Mumbai.
“As long as he stays fit, we know what he brings, how much balance he gives the team.
Hardik Pandya has 197 runs and six wickets this season // AFP/Getty
“I don’t think there’s a replacement
for the things that he can do as a cricketer, especially with the ball. He really gives Rohit the option to play different combinations.
“So his fitness for us is critical and so far, fortunately, he’s gone okay in this IPL.”
Unlike Pandya, Kohli has been consistent in the IPL with 500 runs so far this season and only Ruturaj Gaikwad (509) has scored more runs than the former India captain.
But Kohli has been under fire from some quarters for his strike rate of 147.59 which pales in comparison to the likes of Aussies Travis Head (194.11) and Tim David (168.21), but Agarkar and Rohit laughed off that criticism.
“He’s been in great form in the IPL, no concerns there at all,” Agarkar said stressing the need for experience in a World Cup campaign.
“You’ve got to prepare knowing there’s a gap (between the IPL and a World Cup). That’s where experience does matter a lot.”
“There’s no point over-thinking it.”
While the IPL provides a glimpse into the form and fitness of the players, Agarkar said performance in the league alone did not influence team selection.
With the ball likely to turn in West Indies, India have picked two specialist spinners — Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal – along with spin-bowling allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.
“I wanted four spinners, three specialist seamers and Hardik as the fourth one,” Rohit said.
“Based on the combination of our opponents, there’s a good chance that Kuldeep and Chahal will
play together.”
‘Relaxed’ skipper Marsh on track for World Cup
Inaugural champions India will begin their campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5 and also face arch-rivals Pakistan, the US and Canada in Group A.
Should both sides progress to the Super Eights, India would meet Australia in St Lucia on June 25 (12.30am AEST) with all World Cup matches to be shown via Amazon’s Prime Video in Australia.