NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan feels India’s success at the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy will depend on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli‘s form.
The performances of Rohit and Kohli have been a major topic of discussion ahead of the eight-team tournament starting February 19.
Rohit recently overcame his batting struggles with his 32nd ODI century against England on Sunday, while Kohli hasn’t had a big score since his unbeaten hundred in the Perth Test against Australia last November.
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“Definitely, because they are world-class players. Always say class is permanent (and) form is only temporary. So they will come to the (batting) form,” Muralitharan told PTI Videos.
“Rohit has scored a hundred and Virat will also will come to form. Definitely, they need to be in form in this tournament for India to win,” he added.
Muralitharan expects subcontinent teams to have well-balanced bowling attacks suitable for conditions in Pakistan and UAE.
“It’s (spin bowling) more important because wickets will help the spinners in Pakistan, even in the UAE. I think spinners will play a big role in this tournament,” he said.
“There are a lot of good spinners in the world because if you take India, there are about four spinners in the squad and if you take Afghanistan, they (also) have a good spin attack (and) even Bangladesh. Every subcontinent country has good spinners,” he added.
“India has an all-round attack because they got very good spinners and fast bowlers as well. Even Pakistan has also got the same. These subcontinent countries have a balanced attack for this kind of playing conditions,” Muralitharan said.
