(AP Photo)
Virat Kohli has struggled to find his best form in the T20 World Cup 2024 so far, featuring in all league stage matches with scores of one, four, and zero. Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes Kohli can rediscover his touch if the team management allows him to bat at number three. Currently, Kohli has been opening the innings alongside captain Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup.
According to Ashwin’s suggestion, India could consider promoting Rishabh Pant or trying Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener to create space for Kohli at the number three position. Ashwin remains confident that Kohli’s recent struggles will not dent his confidence going forward. Ahead of India’s crucial Super Eight opener against Afghanistan, Ashwin discussed Kohli’s form extensively with Robin Uthappa on his YouTube channel.
“There is no chance for a player like Virat Kohli to damage his confidence. He will say, ‘You brought me down to number 3, I will show you who I am.’. That’s how he will bat, first of all. I am saying this because I know him,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.
Robin Uthappa observed, “I noticed Virat Kohli’s demeanor after the last match; there was a brief moment where I saw it. He interacted with teammates and spoke with the support staff. When you observe his demeanor, you can sense he is radiating immense confidence. It stems from his deep understanding of his game and unwavering belief in his abilities. He understands that the recent performances are just a minor setback.”
During the last season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli played as an opener alongside skipper Faf du Plessis, showcasing exceptional form. Across 15 matches, Kohli amassed 741 runs at a strike rate of 154.70, including one century and five half-centuries.
Currently, Kohli is poised to surpass Pakistan’s Babar Azam in the list of highest run-scorers in T20 World Cup history, needing 104 more runs. The influential Indian batsman will return to action as India faces Afghanistan in a crucial Super Eight match today at the T20 World Cup 2024.
