‘My go-to man would be…’ - Suresh Raina bets on his ‘go-to’ player for India in 20-20 World Cup

Suresh Raina (Image Source: Twitter)

The 20-20 World Cup is all set to get underway on October 16 and the teams are bracing for the tournament. The Indian team led by Rohit Sharma will look to turn things around from the previous edition of the 20-20 World Cup where they bowed out in the group stage. 

Ahead of the tournament, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina opened up on the player who would be vital in controlling the game for team India. Commenting on the tournament, Raina said that it would be crucial for India to start the campaign with a win. 

“Suryakumar, the batting that he did in the last two years, I want him to show the same intent. There is one more dark horse. His angle, swing is brilliant. But my go-to man would be Hardik Pandya. He will control the game. he will bowl the crucial overs. And he will finish the game, what MS Dhoni has done for a long period,” Raina was quoted as saying by NDTV. 

The 35-year-old also requested the fans to watch out for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Arshdeep Singh in the tournament. Barring the pacer and Kohli, Rohit has not been at his best and the Indian skipper would hope to get back his form at the earliest going into the showpiece event.

“These players would be very important. Suryakumar Yadav will be game-changer for India but at the same time, don't forget Arshdeep Singh, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma,” said the former allrounder. 

India need to start with a win: Raina

The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The left-handed batter said that Rohit and his men should look to win the game against Pakistan and added that it would help India going forward in the tournament. 

“India need to start well as they face Pakistan in their first match. If we can do well in that match, things will be smooth as India will have the momentum. That is very crucial in the T20s,” Raina added. Team India will play the tournament in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. However, Mohammed Shami, who is in Australia as the replacement for the injured pacer, would hope to get a few scalps under his belt.