Nasser Hussain offers a blunt assessment of Virat Kohli’s performance.

(Source X)

Nasser Hussain, former England captain, expressed his belief in Virat Kohli’s capability to perform in the eagerly awaited T20 World Cup 2024 final. Hussain acknowledged that Kohli has faced difficulties in scoring runs during the tournament, particularly citing the demanding conditions encountered in New York.

The final showdown of the T20 World Cup 2024 between India and South Africa will take place at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. Both teams have displayed dominance throughout the competition, maintaining unblemished records thus far. The stakes are high as they vie for the prestigious ICC title in this upcoming clash.

Nasser Hussain – Virat Kohli Is Always There In Big Matches 

Despite high expectations stemming from his outstanding IPL 2024 season, Virat Kohli has faced challenges in the current T20 World Cup. The prolific right-handed batsman has only accumulated 75 runs in seven matches, averaging just 10.71 with a strike rate of 100. His struggles are highlighted by two ducks in this ICC tournament.

Looking forward to the India-South Africa final, Nasser Hussain expressed confidence in Kohli’s ability to excel in significant matches. He referenced Kohli’s remarkable performance against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 as evidence of his capability in high-pressure situations.

“I mean you go back to the game against Pakistan at the MCG, India were floundering. Who was there at the end? Smashing. That’s the biggest game of all time for the Indians. India, Pakistan, you know. So he is always there in big matches,” Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports.

Captain Rohit Sharma expressed confidence that Virat Kohli is reserving his finest performance for the final match. Hailing from Delhi, Kohli boasts an illustrious record as the leading run-scorer in the history of T20 World Cups, amassing 1216 runs in 34 matches at a remarkable average of 57.90. His tally includes the highest number of half-centuries (14) ever recorded in T20 World Cup history.

Nasser Hussain affirmed that Virat Kohli’s prowess as a cricketer is beyond question. He advised Kohli to stick to his natural batting style instead of adopting an overly aggressive approach. Hussain emphasized that Kohli’s methodical batting serves as a crucial stabilizing factor for the team’s success. The former cricketer, now commentator, hailed Kohli as someone who thrives in high-pressure encounters, labeling him a player who excels in significant matches.

“I personally and others will disagree because you want to set the tone throughout the team. I think Virat Kohli should bat like he’s batted over the last decade. He’s got a strike rate of 138. He can be the glue, the rot, you know, they all bat around, and they all come in playing their shots. You cannot doubt Kohli as a player. You cannot doubt him in a big match. He has suffered because of that New York pitch because he had a brilliant IPL,” Hussain added.

Nasser Hussain, now a cricket commentator, observed that Virat Kohli’s form has been influenced by the demanding pitch conditions in New York. He pointed out that Kohli requires a period to settle into his batting groove, contrasting him with aggressive hitters such as Hardik Pandya. Hussain concluded by emphasizing that the Indian cricket team values Kohli’s presence in crucial matches, highlighting his importance despite recent challenges.