(Credit ICC)
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has addressed Virat Kohli’s recent struggles with the bat in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Despite Kohli’s lack of significant runs in India’s initial three matches in the esteemed T20 event, Chopra maintains that Kohli is in good form.
In the latest match against an opponent on Wednesday, June 12, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, Kohli endured a challenging start, being dismissed for a first-ball duck by left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar on only the second delivery of the match, leaving India in a precarious situation at 1/1.
However, the middle-order duo of Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 50 runs off 49 balls, and Shivam Dube, contributing 31 runs from 35 balls, came to India’s rescue, steering the team away from an early collapse during the run chase. Eventually, the Men in Blue successfully chased down the 111-run target with 10 deliveries to spare, securing a spot in the Super 8 stages of the tournament under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.
Aakash Chopra says This Match Too That I Am Not Worried
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted a notable pattern in Virat Kohli’s dismissals throughout all three matches. Chopra pointed out that Kohli has consistently been dismissed by deliveries outside the off-stump.
“In the run chase, Virat Kohli got out in the first over itself. It’s been three matches and Virat has been dismissed off deliveries outside off-stump all three times – once in the deep off Mark Adair’s bowling, once at point off Naseem Shah’s bowling, and Saurabh Netravalkar here,” Chopra said.
The former cricketer, now a commentator, expressed his lack of concern regarding Virat Kohli’s absence of runs in the initial three games. Chopra stressed that Kohli’s lack of runs does not signify a loss of form but rather a period without scoring. He maintained his confidence that Kohli will soon find his rhythm and begin to perform consistently.
“You think whether everything is right. I was saying before the last match as well and I am saying after this match too that I am not worried. I am bullish that Virat Kohli will score runs as he is not out of form, he is just out of runs right now,” Chopra added.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Virat Kohli has amassed a mere five runs across three innings, resulting in a disappointing average of 1.67 and a strike rate of 55.56. The 35-year-old cricketer faced early dismissals, scoring one run against Ireland and four runs against Pakistan.
Aakash Chopra said Virat Kohli Will Score Runs There
Aakash Chopra pointed out Virat Kohli’s outstanding form during IPL 2024, expressing optimism about his resurgence in India’s upcoming match against Canada in Florida. Chopra suggested that the change in venue might provide Kohli with the opportunity to rediscover his batting prowess.
“He went there with the form of more than 700 runs. His bat hasn’t struck the ball that well here, runs haven’t come from the bat, but the story has ended here. Now they will be going to Lauderhill, which means when the match happens in Florida, we will be alright there. I feel Virat Kohli will score runs there,” Chopra further added.
The team led by Rohit Sharma is set to face Canada in their last group stage encounter at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida, on Saturday, June 15th.
