India captain Rohit Sharma has identified left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and all-rounder Hardik Pandya as crucial to India’s chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Rohit praised Arshdeep’s wicket-taking ability with the new ball and at the death, while highlighting Hardik’s importance as a finisher and a multi-phase bowler who provides balance
Rohit Sharma
T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma reckons all-rounder Hardik Pandya and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh will hold the key to India’s prospects in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Defending champions India will enter the T20 showpiece as one of the overwhelming favourites due to their massive depth and quality.
Rohit highlighted Arshdeep’s effectiveness with the new ball and at the death. “It is a big positive to have both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together because they always attack for wickets. Arshdeep’s biggest strength is swinging the new ball and taking early wickets. He mainly bowls with the new ball and at the death. Starting and finishing are the most important phases, and he is strong in both,” Rohit told JioHotstar.
“With the new ball, he swings it to get left-handers caught in the slips and targets the pads of right-handers. He has also started taking the ball away from right-handers. These skills are key for a new-ball bowler. He always tries to take wickets, which is why he bowls the first over.”
Rohit added, “In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he did a great job. I still remember he dismissed Quinton de Kock when he was set and batting well. In the 19th over, he gave away just two or three runs, which built pressure on the South Africans. That is his game, bowling with the new ball and at the death, and he will play a key role for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup.”
Rohit also spoke about how Hardik’s dual role as a finisher and multi-phase bowler provides crucial balance to the Indian team. “Whenever Hardik Pandya is in the team, his role is huge. He bats and bowls very consistently. His batting is crucial when the team is stuck. If we have a score of 160 on the board in 15-16 overs and Hardik is batting, then he’s the one who can help the team reach 210-220 from there or if we are 50 for 4, he has to build the innings.
“Batting in the middle order at 5, 6, or 7 is very tough. That is why Hardik’s role is critical in any format. He bowls in key phases, with the new ball, in the middle and in the death as well. His gives the team balance, letting us play six bowlers and keep our batting deep.”
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