ICC World Cup 2019: Rohit Sharma's Good Form Will Take Off Pressure from Virat Kohli - Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikanth believes Rohit Sharma’s good form will ease off the pressure from the shoulders of captain Virat Kohli. India’s deputy Rohit Sharma was at his best when he scored a fine knock of 122 runs off 144 balls to help team began their World Cup campaign on a high. Rohit Sharma was able to weather the early storm of South Africa opening pace battery and played a mature inning to help India get over the line.

On the other hand, there are always high expectations from Virat Kohli. Kohli has been the most consistent batsman in the world and it would be great for the team if he plays without any pressure. In fact, there is no doubt that Kohli’s success is going to be directly proportional to the success of the team.

Rohit Sharma started the tournament on a high.

“He (Rohit) did not need to ramp it up against South Africa, who had not scored enough runs in Southampton, but that knock will do him a lot of good,” Srikkanth wrote in a column for the ICC.

“He can go from first gear to fourth gear in an instant and just kick on from there and keep clicking through the gears.

“For India, having someone who can go and get not just hundreds but even double hundreds is a major asset and also relieves the pressure on Virat Kohli a little,” he explained.

On the other hand, India’s top three batsmen – Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have done the lion share of the scoring for the team. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah is going to hold the key for the Indian team and he had scalped two wickets in the opening match.

Bumrah was right on the money.

“The other standout performer was Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball. He really rattled the South Africans with his opening spell and that set the tone for the game,” Srikkanth wrote.

“Of course South Africa look a little demoralised after a tough start to the tournament, but his bowling was fantastic.

Meanwhile, Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes India will face selection headaches in the matches to come. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was picked ahead of Mohammed Shami, however, the former batsman revealed that he would have preferred the latter.

Selection headaches.

“I probably would have picked Mohammad Shami, and I still expect him to play a part in this tournament, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar took his chance well,” he wrote.

“It will be an interesting selection dilemma throughout and I expect them to adapt depending on the wicket and the opposition.”

India will play their second World Cup game against Australia on 9th June at Kennington Oval, London.