All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s injury ruled him out of the tournament, says Pant, who has an excellent record AustraliaHe could have done what Yuvraj Singh and Raina did with former captain MS Dhoni.
Under Dhoni’s leadership, India went on to win the inaugural World T20 in 2007, the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, the last ICC tournament the team won.
Raina said in a special conversation with PTI on Friday, ‘I would say that the presence of a left-handed batsman in the middle will be very important.
He said: “From No. 1-6, we don’t have a left-arm player and I am sure the opponents will have two-three left-arm bowlers. We have seen this in the past – 2007, 2011 and 2013 – Bhumika Gauti Yuvi Pa and I played.
“You need to bring in the X factor with Hardik and who can be the X factor? I think Rishabh might be better off being a left-hander,” the 35-year-old replied to a question on whether India should take on Dinesh Karthik. should like Wicketkeeper-batsman.
A member of the teams that won the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, Raina further said that the left-right combination in the middle is needed to spoil the rhythm of the rival bowlers.
“When Yuvi pa and I played, we used to scare the opponents. Now Rahul, Rohit has to decide how he has to go about it. I am sure they must be thinking about it, but whatever they play, we must win .”
Karthik has been the team’s designated finisher but it is unlikely that India will go for two wicket-keeper batsmen in the same playing XI.
Raina said, “DK has got a chance, he has been given a role. But I am not saying whether he should prefer Pant over DK or not. Whoever gets the chance, he has to take a lot of responsibility and win the game. Is required.” First Indian to score a century in all three formats of the game.
“The left-right combination can disturb the rhythm, especially when the grounds are big in Australia. It is important to have a left-handed batsman in the middle. Pant has done really well in Australia and won the Test series there. So we “I’ll see.”
While the top four are looking strong and need to give a right start, Raina feels star all-rounder Pandya will be crucial for India.
“Remember that Pandya will be the main player for Team India. He will bowl those crucial overs in the powerplay and some in the middle and his role will be most important when he comes to bat, when we need 60-70 runs from 30 balls. So his role will be very important for Team India to win the World Cup.”
The Indian top four batsmen are in good form and Raina said they need to score big to take the pressure off Hardik.
“The opening partnership between Rohit and Lokesh will be very important, they have all the big shots. Then we have players like Virat, Suriya in the top four.
“They have to score big runs as you go deep, you don’t have any other batsman other than Hardik who can go for the chase.”
Showing complete faith in captain Rohit, he said: “He was there when India won the first World Cup in 2007, now he is there as a captain. I am sure he can bring the trophy back home.
“I think the team is in full form, we have ticked all the boxes. It’s all about playing 40 overs well and taking one game at a time. So getting off to a good start and pace against Pakistan. It will be very important to take
“It won’t be easy, they have to play their A game, there will be pressure, they have to work hard. Australia, England are looking strong and both Pakistan and New Zealand are doing well.”
Raina said it was the right move to pick veteran pacer Mohammed Shami in place of injured Jasprit Bumrah.
“Bumrah is our No. 1 bowler but we can only control the controllables and Shami is the perfect replacement for him. It is true that he hasn’t played for a long time but his seam position and hard deck will come in handy in Australia.”
Raina, who has been signed as the brand ambassador of Booking.com for the upcoming World Cup, is all set to travel to Australia and Holland, and watch the final on November 13.