Time for Kohli to hit top form

After consecutive failures in his new avatar as opener, Virat is due a big score against first-timers and co-hosts USA in today’s top-of-the-table Group ‘A’ encounter

Having already felled Pakistan last week, United States of America (USA) will attempt another giant-slaying act on Wednesday. Up against them are 2007 champions India, in an unlikely top-of-the-table clash in Group ‘A’ of the T20 World Cup at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

Successive wins for USA

Successive wins over Canada and Pakistan have put the co-hosts on the brink of a berth in the Super Eights, the same boat in which India find themselves after powering past Ireland and then edging Pakistan in a thriller. Wednesday’s winners will punch a ticket to the Caribbean, which will host the Super Eights and the knockouts, though the vanquished will have one more opportunity to do so.

It’s difficult to see India being as generous to US as Pakistan were in Dallas. India have still not hit peak form, especially in the batting department, and yet they are already looking like a formidable unit. Virat Kohli is due a big score after consecutive failures in his new avatar as opener, and it will be no surprise if he uses the USA encounter to signal his return to run-making ways.

In many ways, it’s hard to pick holes in the Indian batting. The supremely bowler-friendly conditions here make it impossible to be harsh on batting units across teams though it won’t be out of place to suggest that India’s batters use this game to bed themselves in for the tougher challenges that are undoubtedly in store over the next three weeks. Like Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, the No. 1 T20I batter in the world, and his Mumbai mate Shivam Dube will look to make their first big scores of the competition, though some might make a case for the induction of Yashasvi Jaiswal as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner.

Of all the Indian batters, Rishabh Pant has looked the most assured and consistent. Given the regular risks he takes, that’s testament to Pant’s determination and the execution of his skills. He has made meaningful runs in both victories thus far, enjoying being given the additional responsibility of setting up the innings at No. 3; he has also been excellent behind the sticks, a facet that hasn’t received enough appreciation because he has made things look ridiculously easy.

Tricky surface in NY

Having played their first two games on truer tracks in Dallas, USA might find the hugely tricky surface at the Nassau County Stadium more than a handful. More experienced and celebrated batting units have struggled to score at even a run a ball—India and South Africa defending totals less than 120 against Pakistan and Bangladesh respectively on Sunday and Monday. Against India’s expert bowling group spearheaded mercilessly by the remarkable Jasprit Bumrah, skipper Monank Patel and star batter Aaron Jones won’t have things all their own way.

These are early days in international cricket for the team ranked No. 18 in the ICC T20I rankings. They have already punched above their weight. Whether they can land another, unlikely, knockout blow remains to be seen.

Five
No. of runs scored by Virat Kohli in two matches so far

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