IND vs IRE: Virat Kohli told to play aggressive brand of cricket; labelled the epicentre of India's batting

The big stage is set for India’s curtain-raiser at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, as the Men in Blue will take on Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, June 5. Ahead of the IND vs IRE clash, Wasim Jaffer suggested Team India play a fearless brand of cricket in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.

Jaffer, the former Indian batter, has stressed the need for the Indian cricket team to adopt a fearless approach in their matches at the T20 World Cup 2024, as they have faltered in recent years in the ICC tournaments, losing the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) and ODI World Cup 2023 finals last year.

The domestic batting legend stressed the importance of playing aggressive cricket and claimed that the star all-rounder Hardik Pandya will play a significant role in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. Jaffer also discussed the batting position of Virat Kohli, saying his role will remain the same whether the Indian batting superstar opens or bats at No. 3 against Ireland.

Virat Kohli and India must play a fearless and aggressive brand of cricket in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Wasim Jaffer

However, the cricket expert expects that the dashing right-hander will continue his aggressive style of play, like he did during the IPL 2024, in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. However, Jaffer noted that Kohli will also look to provide stability to India’s innings when required in the mega event, but he wants the former Indian captain to be ultra-aggressive with the bat.

Jaffer emphasized that Team India’s batting will revolve around Kohli in the showpiece event. Notably, Kohli looked in tremendous touch in the IPL 2024, where he won the Orange Cap for being the leading run-scorer with 741 runs to his name for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Wasim Jaffer said on his YouTube channel: “India have to play a fearless brand of cricket which we have not done in the last 2-3 World Cups. We have to be a little more aggressive. Hardik Pandya's role as an all-rounder is going to be quite crucial.”

The commentator further noted: “I don't know whether he (Kohli) will be opening or batting at No.3 (Kohli), but his role will be the same. He will try to play the aggressive brand of cricket which he did in the IPL 2024 and he will also stabilize the innings when needed. He has done it for many years, and the batting will revolve around him.”

Cameron Green showers rich praise on Virat Kohli

Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has recently shared his admiration for his RCB teammate Kohli ahead of his team’s opening game in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Oman on June 6. Green said that the learning he has gained from Kohli has been immense and has significantly contributed to his growth.

He further noted that Kohli's leadership and batting prowess have been a huge inspiration for him, and playing alongside him has been a dream come true for him. The Australian all-rounder also lauded Kohli for his passion for the game and his ability to perform consistently under pressure, and these are traits Green admires most about the India star.