Irfan Pathan
Former Team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan spoke about Virat Kohli & Co. in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
Pathan said, "I think nobody expected anything from the 2007 team, but there are a lot of expectations from the current World Cup squad. The new team has expectations and experience. When we entered the 2007 T20 World Cup, we hardly had the experience of playing in T20 format. But now, things are different, people play IPL, they play a lot of T20 games and there are a lot of conversations around T20 format. In 2007, there was no social media, but now there is social media, so there are lot of conversations around performances and memes. I think the boys know that there are lot of expectations from them and they know how to handle it."
Class of 2007 on X-Factor for India
Heroes from the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning Indian squad Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Dinesh Karthik, RP Singh, Ajit Agarkar and Irfan Pathan also shared their thoughts on who will be Team India's 'X-Factor' in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.
Gautam Gambhir: "Jasprit Bumrah!"
Harbhajan Singh: "I think if I have to choose one, I will Rohit Sharma. I think he's going to be the key!"
Dinesh Karthik: "I will put my money on Hardik Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy. I think these two can make the difference in T20 World Cup."
Ajit Agarkar: "Rohit Sharma & Jasprit Bumrah. I think Rohit could be the key, opening the innings and Bumrah with what he does."
RP Singh: "Jasprit Bumrah!"
Irfan Pathan: "I think Jasprit Bumrah and his opposite end. I think the two bowlers who will bowl in the last overs are crucial."
Dinesh Karthik
Speaking about the Indian squad for the mega event, senior India wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik said, "I completely agree with what Irfan said. It's completely different in terms of handling pressure, but one thing that is very different today to what it was in 2007 is the fact that they have plenty of IPL experience and they have played in high-pressure games and they have played in matches which are - when it comes to pressure, it's second to none."