Having come up with just 75 runs in seven innings so far, Kohli will be looking for a memorable finale to the 2024 T20 World Cup. He’ll surely try to make a massive score in the final against South Africa, in Barbados on June 29.
Many cricketers, experts, and fans have voiced their opinions regarding Virat Kohli’s poor performance in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup.
But, few have had a closer look at Kohli’s game than former India coach Ravi Shastri. He had a close relationship with the player while serving as captain and coach of Team India in all formats.
Shastri stated that after Kohli’s defeat against England in the semi-final, he should play the way he naturally plays and not try to be unduly aggressive.
Shastri Reveals Reason Behind Kohli’s Poor Form
Shastri, commenting on Star Sports, stated that Rohit Sharma‘s aggressive play at the other end is not his style. Shastri believes that if he spends more time at the crease, he can easily make up the difference.
“Kohli smacked a six off Reece Topley in the third over against England, but he had to come back to the dugout after misjudging the ball while trying to play large towards midwicket. Whenever he attempts to get out of his zone, he will get out in that fashion,” Shastri said.
“He looked to create shots that do not exist. You should do this when you’re in peak form and have 300 runs in the competition. It is difficult to break loose when there are no runs. “The key word is rhythm,” Shastri continued.
Despite Kohli’s struggles with the bat, his opening partner Rohit Sharma struck a magnificent 39-ball 57. With Suryakumar Yadav‘s 47 from 36 balls and useful cameos at the back end, India produced 171 in 20 overs on a tough, damp Guyana field.
“I think Kohli should’ve played like Kohli has done for a decade,” remarked Nasser Hussain, a former English cricketer.
Kohli, who has scored only 75 runs in seven innings so far, will be looking for a regal finale to the 2024 T20 World Cup with a massive score against South Africa in Barbados on June 29.
Kohli Has The Last Chance To Play Heroic Inning
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif remarked before India’s last T20 World Cup 2024 match against South Africa at the Kensington Oval that star batsman Virat Kohli has tremendous potential to become a hero.
“I think Virat Kohli has a great chance to become a hero because Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was out of form in the 2011 ODI World Cup, played an undefeated 91-run knock in the final. His six-over long-on off Kulasekara is etched in everyone’s mind,” Kaif remarked.
The veteran cricketer also discussed Kohli’s century at Eden Gardens during the ODI World Cup in 2023.
“He must forget about bad form. He had scored a century in India’s final ODI World Cup match against South Africa at Eden Gardens. He was terrific and played really well that day, but he wasn’t slogging but rather playing the ball on merit with good cricket strokes,” he continued.
The Men in Blue will face South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on Saturday at Barbados’ Kensington Oval. Both sides have had differing performances throughout the competition.
The Rohit Sharma-led team has crushed every opponent they’ve faced in the competition, including heavyweights like Australia, Pakistan, and England. While the Proteas have often escaped with a slim margin on route to the final. In the group stage, Bangladesh and Nepal pushed them to the limit.
In their last Super 8 game against co-hosts the West Indies, they came close to securing their departure while chasing the amended aim of 123.