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South Africa captain Aiden Markram acknowledges Virat Kohli’s potential threat in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 final against India. Despite Kohli’s struggles with form in the tournament, Markram remains wary of the former Indian captain’s capabilities.
Markram has led South Africa to their inaugural final in both ODIs and T20Is World Cups, setting the stage for a historic clash against Rohit Sharma’s Indian squad at Barbados’ Kensington Oval on Saturday, June 29. This presents Markram with a significant opportunity to guide his team to their maiden World Cup triumph.
Both India and South Africa have maintained unbeaten records en route to the final, with the Men in Blue aiming to secure their first ICC trophy since 2013. India reached the final of last year’s ODI World Cup but fell short against Australia in the decisive match held in Ahmedabad.
Aiden Markram – I Don’t Think It Worries Me
During a pre-final press conference, Aiden Markram recognized Virat Kohli’s reputation for performing well in significant matches. Markram conveyed confidence in their team’s strategy to counter Kohli in the upcoming match.
“It’s come to the big final, and we all know what a player he has been. So any bit of plan and are you worried about the fact that he has not scored runs in the tournament? I mean, I don’t think it worries me,” Markram stated, addressing the media.
Virat Kohli enjoyed a stellar season with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2024, securing the Orange Cap with 741 runs at an impressive average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69. However, his form dipped in the T20 World Cup 2024.
The Delhi-born cricketer has managed only 75 runs in seven matches at an average of 10.71 and a strike rate of 100 in the ongoing tournament. Known for his aggressive approach, Kohli displayed a departure from his usual style early in the competition. As India prepares for the final match, they are counting on Kohli to return to his impactful form.
Virat Kohli Is A Great Player says Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram recognized the formidable nature of India’s entire batting lineup. The South African captain highlighted their team’s meticulous strategy and preparation aimed at effectively neutralizing India’s batting prowess. Markram expressed optimism that their preparations would yield positive results in the upcoming final match.
“He’s a great player as we all know, but they’ve got their whole batting unit full of great players. Cricket is a game of ups and downs. You’re not always going to do well, especially as a batter. We just do our planning, do our preparation from a meeting’s point of view for planning towards those batters. Hopefully, on the day we can get that right,” Markram added.