Chahal & Rasool have perfect opportunity to seal spots as T20 spin specialists: Kohli

INDIA SKIPPER Virat Kohli believes that the three-match T20 series against England is the perfect opportunity for Yuzvendra Chahal and Parvez Rasool to establish themselves as future T20 specialist spinners. 

Kohli reckoned that it will be a breakthrough innings for the duo, both of whom have played under the skipper for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. As reported by PTI, the prolific batsman stated,

“The guys who have come in have done pretty well in the IPL, in the domestic T20s. The areas they are bowling in are pretty good and are pretty economical. Yuzvendra, everyone has seen his performances, even Rasool played under me at RCB. It is probably a breakthrough series for them. They haven’t played a big series yet so this might be the perfect opportunity to seal their spots as T20 specialist spinners for the future. He [Rasool] is pretty confident, he can bowl with the new ball against the most attacking guys. These two guys are very smart about their bowling. I am sure they will able to replicate their domestic success at this level.” 

The series is expected to be a big break for the likes of Rishabh Pant, Mandeep Singh along with veterans Ashish Nehra and Suresh Raina. Speaking about the squad, Kohli explained that there is a stiff competition for places among juniors and seniors. 

“We would definitely like to extend our run from Test and ODIs to T20s. We want to play more special cricket, play more positive than what we have in the past, not worry about the result too much. In this format we need to go out and show our true potential. The squad if you see has been selected like that. We have got quite a few youngsters who want to prove with senior guys in the team. Eventually the idea is groom them enough and then to give them more confidence and have a gradual progress graph for them. It is important to back them enough.” 

Ahead of the first T20 at Kanpur on January 26, the 28-year-old mentioned about the myriad of options available to open the innings. 

“There are all kinds of possibilities. In the IPL, you don’t have many Indian batsmen to choose from because they are spread across the franchisees. Here [in international cricket] you have a lot of options as far as Indian batsmen are concerned. We have a lot of options [in batting line-up], which is a very good thing. If need be I can open, it all depends on the balance of the side. I have only opened in one T20 International, may be two but I have experience of opening in the IPL. If need be, I could or I might not. It all depends on the balance of the side.”

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