The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup is scheduled to happen from June 4 to 30 subsequent 12 months, hosted collectively by the West Indies and the USA. India secured their inaugural T20 World Cup title in 2007, captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, marking their sole title victory within the showpiece match since its inception.
Former England cricketer Ravi Bopara, who’s at present enjoying within the American Premier League in the USA, feels India will want their two senior gamers – Virat and Rohit – for his or her T20 World Cup marketing campaign.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. (Picture by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Pictures)
TimesofIndia.com caught up with Bopara, who performed 13 Assessments, 120 ODIs and 38 T20Is for England between 2007 and 2015, in an unique interview and spoke about England’s disappointing ODI World Cup marketing campaign and goal to defend the T20 World Cup title, India’s T20 World Cup hopes, Virat, Rohit and far more.
Issues did not go as per England’s plans within the ODI World Cup. Can they defend the T20 World Cup title subsequent 12 months?
England are a really sturdy T20 facet. They’re much stronger in T20Is than in 50 overs. I’m assured that England will go on and defend the T20 World Cup title. There are such a lot of gamers in England’s T20 facet who can flip the sport on its head. Jos Buttler is there. Will Jacks is there. Adil Rashid is there. They’re class acts who’ve been doing very effectively for thus a few years. Each single participant within the T20 facet is a match-winner for England and may flip the match at any given time.
Ben Stokes did not have ODI World Cup. How badly England will want him within the T20 World Cup?
Very a lot. England will want Ben within the T20 World Cup. He’s a match-winner. He can come and play underneath any scenario and any can take strain off the staff. He’s glorious in each departments – bat and bowl. It will be important that he bowls for England in order that he could be the sixth bowling choice for the staff. His presence may also guarantee England have a giant and powerful batting lineup.
How a lot India will want Virat and Rohit within the T20 World Cup?
Rather a lot. India will want their presence within the vital match. They need to be there and in good kind. India would need them to attain massive runs. They scoring massive runs after which others enjoying cameos can work effectively for India. You’ve got SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) there. He’s going to be probably the most harmful participant within the Indian lineup. It is rather vital that these three fireplace.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. (Picture by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Pictures)
How troublesome will or not it’s for Hardik Pandya to fill in Rohit’s footwear at Mumbai Indians, who’ve 5 IPL titles to their identify?
Rohit Sharma has made the MI facet. That’s the champion facet. Now, Hardik might be main that champion facet. They’ve star gamers and game-changers. Hardik might be working with the perfect gamers. Other than captaining the facet, will probably be vital for Hardik to bat and bowl effectively. I hope he has match with each bat and ball and helps MI succeed and win the match. I want him all of the luck.
What’s your favorite second vs India?
My favourite second towards India was seeing Sachin Tendulkar stroll out to bat for the primary time. He was my childhood hero, so to see him come out and bat and play towards him in all probability was my favourite second. From the IPL, my favourite second was after I performed my first season in South Africa (in 2009) and I scored 80 one thing to win the sport for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) at Kingsmead, Durban. I used to be adjudged ‘Man of the Match’.
You performed for Sunrisers Hyderabad as effectively. Pat Cummins was just lately purchased by SRH for a whopping Rs 20.50 crore. Ought to the 2023 World Cup-winning captain be given the captaincy duties of SRH for the approaching season?
Presumably. He’s an Australian captain and greater than that he has guided Australia to the World Cup title just lately. I’m positive SRH will persist with Cummins to steer the facet. Nonetheless, for me, it’s higher to stay to an area captain as a result of he understands the facet and his staff effectively. However as a result of Cummins is coming after guiding Australia to the World Cup victory, he’s additionally choice.
Suryakumar Yadav. (Reuters Picture)
You might be at present enjoying within the American Premier League. What has been your expertise to date?
I’m having fun with it. It’s an thrilling league, a brand new league. You possibly can’t examine this with different leagues for now. It’s a lot smaller than different leagues. However a number of cricketers are right here. I hope to win as many video games for my staff.
