Virat Kohli: India last took home an ICC title nine years ago. In 2013, Mahendra Singh Dhoni led India to their last major victory, the ICC Champions Trophy. Since then, there has been no ICC trophies, and fans will be hopeful that the wait is over when the ODI World Cup 2023 is played in India this year. However, given that the squad is in a period of change, it won’t be a simple feat.
In reference to the same, former India opener Gautam Gambhir has said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who serve as the innings’ anchors, will be essential for India. Gambhir said that athletes shouldn’t be pressured to play in a style that is not natural to them.
Gautam Gambhir speaks on Virat Kohli ‘s role in ODI
“I feel people like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and all those guys who can anchor their innings, who probably can play spin really well will play a massive role in the coming World Cup,” Gambhir said on Star Spots show ‘Road to World Cup glory’.
He further added, “I always feel that when we talk about this new approach, which India always talks about, the template and stuff, you’ve got to identify players who can adapt those roles or that template very easily. Some people just cannot adapt to that template so why push them to play in a certain way which doesn’t come naturally to them.”
“So, for me, I think identifying players and at the same time getting the right mix is very important, rather than thinking that we have to play at a certain template so we got to select all the 15 with a similar mind-set or with a similar template.”
Gautam Gambhir speaks on pressure on players
The World Cup winning cricketer offered advice on how players in the competition should handle their exertion. Gambhir thinks that there shouldn’t be an issue if skipping the IPL is required to allow those 15-20 players to play together as much as feasible.
“I think the biggest mistake that Indian cricket has made in the last two World Cups has been that these guys have not played enough of cricket together…So these guys have to play enough of white ball cricket, especially for the 50 overs World Cup together irrespective of whether they want to take a break from the T20 or from the IPL,” said Gambhir.
“If the franchise has to suffer they have to suffer. Indian cricket is the main stake holder, not the IPL. IPL is just the by product. So, if India goes out and wins the World Cup, that is the bigger ovation, that is the bigger ring,” he added.
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