Irfan Pathan defends Virat Kohli’s inclusion in T20 World Cup squad

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has come out in strong support of Virat Kohli’s inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad, dismissing any doubts about the star batsman’s form and ability to perform on the big stage.

In a recent interview on Star Sports, Pathan expressed his disappointment at the question of whether Kohli would make the cut for the World Cup squad. He highlighted Kohli’s impressive international record, with an average of around 50 and a strike rate of 137 in T20 cricket, making a strong case for his inclusion.

Pathan also pointed out Kohli’s match-winning capabilities, citing his heroic performance in the last World Cup where he single-handedly led India to victory with a brilliant 82-run knock. He emphasized the importance of experience in challenging conditions, such as the slow pitches often seen in the West Indies and the USA.

Despite Kohli’s recent success in the IPL, where he has been in fine form for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Pathan believes that his quality and experience make him a crucial asset for the Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

In other IPL news, RCB secured a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans, thanks to stellar performances from Virat Kohli and Will Jacks. Despite the win, RCB remains at the bottom of the IPL 2024 standings, while Gujarat Titans hold the seventh spot. Will Jacks’ century was the highlight of the match as RCB cruised to victory.