Rohit identifies Arshdeep, Hardik as key to India's chances in T20 World Cup
New Delhi (PTI): T20 World Cup-winning captain Rohit Sharma reckons all-rounder Hardik Pandya and left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh will hold the key to India's prospects in the upcoming edition of the tournament.
Defending champions India will enter the T20 showpiece as one of the overwhelming favourites due to their massive depth and quality.
Rohit highlighted Arshdeep's effectiveness with the new ball and at the death.
"It is a big positive to have both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh together because they always attack for wickets. Arshdeep's biggest strength is swinging the new ball and taking early wickets. He mainly bowls with the new ball and at the death. Starting and finishing are the most important phases, and he is strong in both," Rohit told JioHotstar.
"With the new ball, he swings it to get left-handers caught in the slips and targets the pads of right-handers. He has also started taking the ball away from right-handers. These skills are key for a new-ball bowler. He always tries to take wickets, which is why he bowls the first over."
Rohit added, "In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, he did a great job. I still remember he dismissed Quinton de Kock when he was set and batting well. In the 19th over, he gave away just two or three runs, which built pressure on the South Africans.
"That is his game, bowling with the new ball and at the death, and he will play a key role for India in the 2026 T20 World Cup."
India won the last edition of the tournament in the Americas under Rohit's captaincy, after which the dashing opener retired from the T20 format internationally.
Rohit also spoke about how Hardik's dual role as a finisher and multi-phase bowler provides crucial balance to the Indian team.
"Whenever Hardik Pandya is in the team, his role is huge. He bats and bowls very consistently. His batting is crucial when the team is stuck. If we have a score of 160 on the board in 15-16 overs and Hardik is batting, then he's the one who can help the team reach 210-220 from there or if we are 50 for 4, he has to build the innings.
"Batting in the middle order at 5, 6, or 7 is very tough. That is why Hardik's role is critical in any format. We know his bowling. He bowls in key phases, with the new ball, in the middle and in the death as well. His role is very important because he gives the team balance, letting us play six bowlers and keep our batting deep."
Rohit said accommodating both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy together in the playing XI is going to be a big challenge for the Indian team management.
"The biggest challenge for captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir will be how to play both Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakaravarthy together. If you want that combination, you can only do it if you play with two seamers, which is a big challenge.
"But honestly, I would be tempted to play both Varun and Kuldeep because they are wicket-takers and batters struggle to read them. I would surely pick them."
The former India skipper added, "Looking at the conditions in India, like in this New Zealand series, there is a lot of dew. In February and March, dew will be heavy across most parts as winter ends.
"Even in Mumbai, which doesn't get cold, there's still dew. I'd say 90-95 percent of grounds in India have dew. That's the challenge. What do the coach and captain think? Are they comfortable with three spinners? Then they can play spin, but there's no fixed rule. It depends on the team leaders' thinking."
Rohit also urged Kuldeep to stop appealing on every ball and to rely on the wicketkeeper's judgment for reviews.
"My one simple advice to Kuldeep is to just bowl quietly and go back to his mark. You can't appeal on every ball. This is basic. I keep saying it, but it still happens often. Even after telling him many times, he appeals at every chance. You have to use your head. Just because it touches the pad, it doesn't mean it's out every time. This isn't gully cricket.
"I get he is enthusiastic, but think of the team first. Each team only gets two DRS reviews. If I was the keeper, I could see where the ball pitched and if it was hitting, I could tell the bowler.
"But from covers or slip, you don't know the angle. You have to listen to what the keeper and bowler say. That's why when there's a review off Kuldeep's bowling, I don't look at him, I look at the keeper to decide."
The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in venues across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
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Recurring delays in approval, fund release give perception of systemic inequity: Siddaramaiah to PM
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention on 18 issues, including the demand to give constitutional protection to Karnataka's 56 per cent reservation policy and release of deficit grants, among others.
Siddaramaiah also highlighted that recurring delays on the part of the Union government, in approvals and fund releases to the state, have created a perception of systemic inequity.
CM sought the PM's intervention for the inclusion of Karnataka's 56 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution and inclusion of certain OBCs in the central list of ST.
He insisted on the release of revenue deficit grants, special grants to Bengaluru, and approval to the Mekedatu project, among others.
According to the chief minister's office, Siddaramaiah handed over the memorandum to the prime minister on his arrival at the city's HAL airport on his way to Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district.
"Karnataka has always taken pride in contributing to India's growth with responsibility and vision. However, recurring delays in approvals and financial releases have created a perception of systemic inequity. Addressing these concerns will reaffirm the spirit of true cooperative federalism and strengthen our shared vision for the development of India," Siddaramaiah said in the letter to Modi.
"The people of Karnataka look forward to your kind intervention in resolving these issues. I am certain that the Union Government will enable Karnataka to continue playing a transformative role in India's inclusive and sustainable development," he said.
"Our state embodies the aspirations of a progressive and inclusive India and remains steadfast in its commitment to the ideals of cooperative federalism," he said.
While Karnataka continues to be among the largest contributors to the national exchequer and a leader in economic and social development, certain long-pending issues require the Union Government's urgent attention, he said.
Pointing out that the railway coach factory at Kolar announced in the Railway Budget remains unimplemented despite the state offering 1.123 acres of land, Siddaramaiah said, reviving this project will catalyse industrial development and employment in the backward Kolar region.
He said that including the Bengaluru-Mysuru segment in the proposed high-speed rail corridor is essential for balanced regional development and enhanced connectivity. The state respectfully urges the Union government to expedite the release of committed Central assistance for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and to initiate the Bengaluru-Mumbai High-Speed Rail Corridor, connecting key districts of Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka.
The CM also sought the release of the pending central share of Rs 17,554 crore and resolution of policy issues, including support for retrofitting and augmentation schemes, to ensure universal access to safe drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Regarding 15th Finance Commission Grants to Gram Panchayats, he said, despite fulfilling all conditions, Karnataka is yet to receive grants of Rs 2,860 crore for FY 2025-26. "Their timely release is vital for sustaining rural infrastructure and essential services," he said.
Karnataka seeks the centre's urgent intervention for the sanction and implementation of pending National Highway projects, Siddaramaiah said, noting that the State has not received any major new NH projects in the last 12 years despite its significant contribution to the national economy.
Regarding revenue deficit grants of Rs 5,495 crore, he said, "The State requests the immediate release of the pending grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission to address fiscal imbalances and sustain developmental initiatives."
He also demanded a special grant for Bengaluru to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore.
He urged the PM to direct the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission to expedite the appraisal and approval of the Mekedatu Project, envisaging 67 TMC storage for Bengaluru's drinking water, regulated releases to Tamil Nadu, and 400 MW hydropower, in line with CWMA referral and the Supreme Court's judgment dated November 13, 2025.
Siddaramaiah further urged the centre to release the announced Rs 5,300 crore Central Assistance and national project status for the Upper Bhadra Project under the PMKSY-AIBP scheme, to gazette the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II Award and declare the Upper Krishna Project (Stage-III) as a National Project.
He also urged wildlife clearance for the Kalasa Nala Diversion Project, enabling the diversion of 1.72 TMC of water for drinking purposes under the Mahadayi Tribunal Award.
Other demands mentioned in the memorandum include: provision of dedicated financial support of Rs 5,000 crore annually for the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region, in line with the spirit of Article 371(J) of the Constitution; establishing at least one public sector undertaking in each of the districts of North Karnataka; expedited forest, environmental, and wildlife clearances for the nationally significant energy storage project, which will enhance grid stability and support India's renewable energy goals; and establishment of AIIMS in Raichur.
