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Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri criticized Virat Kohli for his batting performance in the semi-final against England during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Shastri suggested that Kohli should have played a more conservative role rather than opting for an overly aggressive approach.
Virat Kohli has been struggling for form in the 2024 T20 World Cup, managing just nine runs off nine deliveries against England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on June 27. The right-handed batsman has accumulated 75 runs in seven matches at an average of 10.71 and a strike rate of 100.
This match marked the first instance in an ICC T20 tournament knockout stage where the 35-year-old Kohli recorded a single-digit score. While he displayed a glimpse of form with a six off Reece Topley in the third over, Kohli failed to capitalize and was dismissed while attempting an aggressive shot against the left-arm pacer.
Ravi Shastri – This Is Not Virat Kohli’s Game
During an interview with Star Sports amidst a rain delay, Ravi Shastri remarked that an aggressive batting style doesn’t suit Virat Kohli’s natural game. Shastri stressed the importance of Kohli spending more time at the crease, particularly given Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach at the other end.
“This is not his game. He is going too early for it, especially with Rohit Sharma playing aggressively at the other end. He can make up quite easily once he spends a little more time at the crease. He is more orthodox. And he is going to play in that fashion. When he tries to get out of his zone. He will get out in that fashion,” Shastri said.
Ravi Shastri – The Keyword Is Rhythm
Ravi Shastri highlighted that Virat Kohli is currently struggling with his batting rhythm. Shastri observed that Kohli has been trying to play shots that do not align with his natural game.
“The keyword is rhythm. It’s not quite there. If it is in his area, yes, he puts that away. But he has tried to manufacture shots that aren’t there. You do that when you are in top form when you have got 300 runs in the competition. Then it’s second nature, it comes to you. When you are looking to break free, when the runs are not there, it’s not easy,” Shastri added.
The Indian cricket team extended their unbeaten streak in the ongoing ICC tournament with a commanding 68-run victory in the semifinal. They successfully defended a total of 172 runs against Jos Buttler’s England in the knockout match held in Guyana.
Next up, Team India will square off against South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. India’s last T20 World Cup triumph came in the inaugural 2007 edition in South Africa, where they clinched the title by defeating Pakistan in the final.
