(AP Photo)
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has commented on Virat Kohli and encouraged the Rohit Sharma-led team to maintain their winning strategy for the semifinal clash against England in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Uthappa emphasized that India currently has the momentum and highlighted that everything is clicking for them in this World Cup.
The upcoming semifinal, scheduled for Thursday, June 27 at Providence Stadium in Guyana, will see India face defending champions England. Both teams are striving to advance to the final match against South Africa at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29.
India remains unbeaten in the tournament so far, securing victories in all their group-stage matches and defeating Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in the Super 8s. The Indian team is determined to avenge their heavy defeat to England in the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Robin Uthappa – Virat Kohli Is Not Yet At The Party
During a discussion on Ravichandran Ashwin’s YouTube channel, Robin Uthappa commended India’s showing in the current T20 World Cup. He pointed out that Virat Kohli has not yet made a significant impact in the tournament. Uthappa stressed the importance of maintaining the status quo for the Indian team in the remaining two matches, suggesting they should avoid making any alterations.
“I am just loving the way India is actually batting and playing its cricket. Virat Kohli is not yet at the party. He is outside. He is outside the gate of the party. But everyone has turned up. Just incredible. As far as I am concerned, there is momentum. Everything is working for them,” Uthappa said.
“Now, exactly like what we have done in the past, I think we have to learn from our mistakes and say, let’s stick to what’s working for us. Let us not try to change anything in the last two games. Let’s play for each other. Let’s enjoy each other’s success,” he added.
Throughout the tournament, the Indian team management has adhered to their strategy by deploying a consistent lineup of 12 players. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj featured in all three group stage matches held in New York. However, for the Super 8 matches in the West Indies, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav took his place in the squad.
Robin Uthappa – Rohit Sharma Backed His Instincts
Robin Uthappa lauded Rohit Sharma’s captaincy during the 2024 T20 World Cup. The former cricketer, now commentator, pointed out Rohit’s support for Hardik Pandya, despite Pandya’s less impressive performance with the ball in the crucial final Super 8 match against Australia.
“In this tournament, one thing that stood out for me is that Rohit, as a leader, has backed his instincts. He got a lot of questions. Why did he give the ball to Hardik Pandya? Why didn’t he bowl the spinners yesterday Because instinctively, maybe he feels as a leader that he is the most successful bowler in this campaign. Why shouldn’t he go? Yes, he is getting hit for runs. But he has faith in him. He is going to do it.”
Hardik Pandya has delivered a strong performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The right-handed batsman has accumulated 116 runs across four innings with a strike rate of 145.00. In addition, he has claimed eight wickets in six matches, maintaining an economy rate of 7.47. Pandya’s standout performance came against Bangladesh in the Super 8 stage, earning him the “Player of the Match” award.
