(Credit ICC)
Virat Kohli, a stalwart of Indian cricket, has yet to meet expectations in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. His performances in the group stages have been disappointing, failing to showcase his usual caliber and raising concerns among fans and critics alike.
Despite entering the tournament on the back of a stellar IPL 2024 season, Kohli has struggled to find his form with the bat. His scores of 1 run against Ireland, 4 against Pakistan, and a duck against the USA have intensified scrutiny and criticism surrounding his current form.
Will Virat Kohli rediscover his form against Australia? Despite a promising start in the Super-8 clash against Afghanistan in Barbados, Kohli was unable to capitalize on his good form as Rashid Khan dismissed him after a 24-ball innings of 24 runs, including six boundaries.
However, Kohli displayed glimpses of his dominant self during India’s 50-run victory over Bangladesh in their next Super-8 encounter in Antigua. The Indian batting icon smashed three sixes and a boundary on his way to a brisk 37 off 28 deliveries.
While Kohli’s recent scores have sparked debates about his adaptability to varied playing conditions, his aggressive approach hasn’t yet translated into substantial runs in this high-profile T20 tournament.
Former Indian batsman Robin Uthappa has stressed the significance of Kohli delivering a strong performance against Australia to bolster India’s chances in the latter stages of the ICC event.
Robin Uthappa is urging Virat Kohli to deliver a game-changing innings against Australia. According to Uthappa, a substantial knock of around 65-70 runs, maintaining a strike rate of 120-125, would significantly bolster India’s momentum in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as they enter the knockout stages.
Emphasizing further, Uthappa suggested that such a performance could enhance Kohli’s confidence and propel him into an unstoppable form. He expressed a strong desire for Kohli to showcase his complete prowess against Australia, potentially setting the stage for a formidable presence in the upcoming crucial matches.
Robin Uthappa said on R Ashwin’s YouTube Channel: “What can empower Team India India to have the best team possible? I think one is to get a solid Virat Kohli innings from him, especially looking at the whole tournament’s perspective. I want a 65-70 not out. Even if you get 120-125 strike rate, I don’t really care. I want that one solid innings from Virat Kohli. Because once he gets that little bit of that taste of blood, that human being can do anything. And for me, before we hit the semifinals, I want him to have that one innings at 150, I want him to get.”
Virat Kohli has accumulated just 66 runs thus far in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, prompting the Men in Blue to hope for his true batting prowess against the Kangaroos in the upcoming Super-8 clash.
