T20 World Cup 2024: If Rohit Or Kohli Plays Defining Knocks On Big Days, Group League Scores Won't Matter, Says Manjrekar

Indian Cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are known for their ability to deliver crucial performances in high-pressure situations. Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian player and respected cricket analyst, believes that their experience will be vital in the knockout stages of the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite their recent struggles in the group league matches, Manjrekar emphasizes the importance of their contributions in the semi-finals or final.Manjrekar acknowledges that if a younger player steps up like Inzamam ul Haq did for Pakistan in 1992, it would be a bonus. However, he believes that it is the senior players who need to make the major contributions in such tournaments. This is why selectors often prioritize experience when selecting players for World Cups.When asked about the future of Kohli and Sharma in T20Is after the World Cup, Manjrekar suggests that it is a question best answered by the players themselves or the national chairman of selectors. He believes that there is still a fair amount of cricket left in the tournament before any decisions are made.Shivam Dube, who had an impressive IPL campaign with Chennai Super Kings, has struggled to find his rhythm on the challenging pitches in New York. Manjrekar points out that hitting through the line might not be as effective on Caribbean tracks, and Dube will need to adapt his power-hitting skills against spinners.Rishabh Pant's promotion to No. 3 has been a brilliant move according to Manjrekar. Pant has shown his class and has been India's best batter in the tournament so far. His inclusion also adds variety to India's batting lineup, which was predominantly right-handed during the 50-over World Cup.Regarding India's spin bowling options, Manjrekar suggests that if the pitches in West Indies offer turn, India might opt for finger spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. He believes that Kuldeep Yadav's strength lies in extracting more from the pitch when there isn't much assistance, but on turning tracks, finger spinners might be more effective.Manjrekar's insights were shared during an exclusive interview facilitated by Disney+ Hotstar. The streaming platform also features a live cricket show called 'Caught & Bold,' which includes former cricketers like Harbhajan Singh, S. Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla, Ambati Rayudu, and Sanjay Manjrekar. Fans can watch the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 live and free on mobile through Disney+ Hotstar.In conclusion, Manjrekar believes that the experience and contributions of senior players like Kohli and Sharma will be crucial in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup. He also highlights the importance of adapting to different conditions and the brilliance of Rishabh Pant's promotion to No. 3. India's spin bowling options will depend on the nature of the pitches in West Indies.