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Virat Kohli reflects on his batting struggles during ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Despite criticism, he concluded his T20I career with a remarkable final performance. Initially, promoted as an opener after a successful IPL campaign, Kohli faced challenges adapting to the role. His scores before the final were modest: 5 runs in the group stage, followed by 24, 37, and 0 in the Super 8s, and a mere 9 runs in the semifinal against England.
However, Kohli rose to the occasion in the final match. Amid a shaky start with India at 34 for 3, his resilient innings of 76 runs anchored India’s recovery, helping them set a competitive total of 176/7. This pivotal contribution ultimately led India to victory by 7 runs.
Virat Kohli on his struggle in the World Cup 2024:
Following the final match, Virat Kohli discussed his batting challenges in an interview with Star Sports. The veteran batsman disclosed that he had a conversation with head coach Rahul Dravid during the tournament, acknowledging that he felt disappointed with his own subpar performances.
“Obviously, you have to move out of your comfort zone sometimes. In my mind, it was like no or never. I have to embrace my role and perform. When I couldn’t perform, I told him (Rahul Dravid), ‘I let myself down. I need to be better’. (But) as I said, everything was just meant to be,” Kohli said.
Meanwhile, after the final, Kohli declared his retirement from T20Is, followed later by announcements from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. Kohli exits the shortest format as one of its top batsmen.
In T20Is, only Rohit has surpassed Kohli’s 4188 runs, tallying 4231 runs including 1 century and a record 38 fifties. Kohli also holds the distinction of being the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history.
