"The way Rohit Sharma built his innings, he would have to play a knock like that" - Nayan Mongia on Virat Kohli's potential approach in IND-PAK clash

Nayan Mongia has urged Virat Kohli to follow Rohit Sharma's template and build his innings in India's 2024 T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan in New York on Sunday, June 9. The former India wicketkeeper-batter noted that the modern batting great cannot bat as aggressively as he did in IPL 2024.

Kohli scored a solitary run off five deliveries and was caught at third man while attempting a big shot in India's tournament opener against Ireland. On the flip side, Rohit scored a 37-ball 52 before retiring hurt in India's clinical eight-wicket win at the same venue four days ago.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Mongia was asked about Virat Kohli's likely game plan against Pakistan. He said:

"It won't be that easy. He would have understood, when he got out in the first match while trying to play on the rise, that he needs to give himself a little time. You cannot play on this wicket like the IPL. The way Rohit Sharma built his innings, he would have to play a knock like that."

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the former India captain needs to get his eye in before pressing the accelerator.

"Yes, we want him to play the big shots for which he has been promoted to No. 1, to make the most of the powerplay, but that won't happen," Mongia elaborated. "You have seen all teams, whichever batters have given themselves a little time, have been successful. If you give yourself a little time, you have 10 to 15 overs to accumulate runs. So give yourself a little time and then play the big shots."

The New York pitch has been conducive to fast bowling. In the four games played at the venue thus far, Canada's 137/7 has been the highest score.

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"These A-players bring their A-game against big opposition teams" - Nayan Mongia on Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli played a match-winning knock in India's 2022 T20 World Cup win against Pakistan.

Nayan Mongia was further asked about India needing Virat Kohli to be at his usual best against Pakistan.

"Absolutely, against all teams. These A-players bring their A-game against big opposition teams, and there cannot be a bigger team than this," Mongia said. "The entire world watches whenever an India-Pakistan match happens. Everyone wants to bring their A-game and he is not going to stay back."

The 54-year-old added that Kohli would want to make amends for his failure against Ireland.

"He wasn't successful in the first match, got out early. So he will have the hunger for runs in this match, and he won't have a better opportunity than this to satiate that hunger," Mongia observed.

Kohli has an outstanding overall record against Pakistan in T20 World Cups. He has amassed 308 runs, including four fifties, at a strike rate of 132.75 in five innings, and has been dismissed just once.