He is a big-stage player, a match winner and knows how to chase – Irfan Pathan includes Virat Kohli in India’s T20 World Cup squad

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel to include Virat Kohli in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Kohli played two T20Is against Afghanistan in which he scored 29 runs before the Test series against England.

However, he returned to the shortest format after last playing in the 2022 T20 World Cup along with Rohit Sharma. Kohli has kicked off IPL 2024 on a high for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scoring 181 runs in three matches. The talisman is currently the joint highest run-getter in the tournament along with Riyan Parag.

Meanwhile, Kohli had scored a magnum opus knock of 82 runs against Pakistan at the MCG in the 2022 T20I showpiece when India had their backs against the wall.

But Kohli’s place in India’s T20I team is mostly questioned because of his strike rate. However, Pathan reminded everyone that Kohli’s strike rate in T20Is is 138.16, which is on par with the likes of Chris Gayle, Hardik Pandya, and Rohit Sharma.

“People are talking about Virat Kohli so I would like to say that his strike rate in international cricket (T20Is) is as good as Chris Gayle or even better than Gayle’s. His strike rate as far as the Indian power hitters are concerned Hardik Pandya: 139 and Virat Kohli: 137 – there isn’t much of a difference. Rohit Sharma is about 139, Kohli’s at 137.

“Always remember the 82* against Pakistan at the 2022 T20 World Cup. Whenever this question arises in your mind, always remember he is a big-stage player, a match winner and knows how to chase. He will excel under pressure. So there is no point in questioning,” Pathan was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

On the other hand, Pathan believes Rishabh Pant and Jitesh Sharma are the frontrunners to pick two of three keeper positions in the squad.

Irfan Pathan’s India squad for T20 World Cup

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh

All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja

Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Jitesh Sharma (any two of them)

Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi

Pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohsin Khan/Arshdeep Singh