After the team’s loss in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals, Irfan Pathan supported Rohit Sharma in keeping his position as the captain of India. The former all-rounder did, however, make several changes to Indian cricket, most of which were put into practice during the country’s successful 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.
India fell to eventual champions England by a wide margin of 10 wickets in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-finals in Adelaide. Several supporters demanded that Rohit relinquish the esteemed captaincy following the embarrassing loss. Nevertheless, Irfan Pathan had stated in a message on his “X” (formerly Twitter) account that India’s fortunes won’t alter with a new captain. Rather, the former cricket player and current broadcaster advised the Men in Blue to alter their strategy. He recommended adding a wrist spinner to the playing XI, allowing at least one Indian opener to play freely, and including a tearaway pacer in the lineup.
Following India’s victory against South Africa by seven runs in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on Saturday, June 29, Pathan’s previous tweet reappeared, garnering praise from supporters for the 39-year-old’s grasp of the game. It’s interesting to note that the team that helped India win an ICC title after an 11-year wait contained the majority of the components Pathan recommended after the most recent T20 World Cup.
Also Read: “I will always remember Suryakumar Yadav’s catch until the day I die” – Irfan Pathan sobs on camera following India’s T20 World Cup victory.
“The future of Indian cricket 1) At least one of the openers is performing freely. A wrist spinner, sometimes known as a wicket taker, is essential. 3) Rip off the quick bowler. 4) Please don’t assume that switching captains will alter the outcome.
The strategy needs to be altered,” Irfan Pathan wrote on X in November 2022.
Indian cricket going forward 1) Openers playing freely, At least one of them. 2) Wrist spinner (wicket taker ) is must. 3) Tear away fast bowler. 4) please don’t think changing captaincy will give us changed result. It’s the approach what needs to change.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 15, 2022
Rohit was kept as the team’s captain, but he adopted a more aggressive batting strategy at the top of the order in contrast to the previous version. Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner, was a member of the playing XI for the final five games and finished with an average of 13.90 wickets. Pathan recommended including a tearaway pacer. Due to a stress fracture in his lower back, Jasprit Bumrah was unable to participate in the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, he was able to return for this year’s tournament and was named Player of the Tournament after taking 15 wickets at an incredible 4.17 in eight games.
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