(Hindustan Times)
Former India opener Virender Sehwag issued a stern message to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of their crucial Super 8 match against Australia tonight, urging them to deliver substantial runs. Sehwag emphasized that if Kohli and Sharma fail to perform in this match and upcoming fixtures, serious questions will be raised not only about their form but also about the decisions of the chief selection committee.
In the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, both Kohli and Sharma, playing together as an opening pair for the first time in an ICC event, have struggled in challenging and slow conditions. Rohit Sharma has managed 99 runs in five matches so far, with his highest score of 52* coming against Ireland in the group stage opener. Meanwhile, Virat Kohli has accumulated only 66 runs, including a top score of 37 in the Super 8s against Bangladesh.
Sehwag stressed that flamboyant quick-fire innings like 30 off 10 or 40 off 20 won’t suffice; rather, both batsmen need to focus on building substantial innings. He emphasized that if Kohli and Sharma can fire at the top order consistently, India’s chances of clinching the T20 World Cup title will significantly improve.
The lack of runs from Kohli and Sharma has prompted Sehwag to caution that their performances will face scrutiny unless they can make significant contributions soon.
“This is a matter of concern because none of the openers have scored runs. Rohit scored 50 and Kohli had 24. So it doesn’t matter how much we say that they are big players but in the end, they will have to score runs. If they cannot, then the selectors will have to think after the WC,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
In a recent interview with Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag pointed out that the Indian team hasn’t encountered significant challenges in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, except for the match against Pakistan. According to Sehwag, facing Australia will pose the real test for India, as they haven’t faced a competitive side earlier in the tournament.
Sehwag expressed concerns about India’s lack of tough contests initially, suggesting it could affect their preparedness for crucial matches. He also expressed uncertainty about India’s prospects of reaching the T20 World Cup final, highlighting that the toughest challenges are likely to come against teams like England and Australia.
“You haven’t played a single game, except Pakistan, where you have been tested. You haven’t played a match where you worry about your top order and middle order batters scoring runs. That situation hasn’t arrived yet but it will come on Monday and then on 27th. Since that situation is yet to come, that’s why things are just moving,” Virender Sehwag concluded.
