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Navjot Singh Sidhu, now an esteemed expert and commentator, lauded Virat Kohli as India’s greatest role model, despite Kohli’s struggles earlier in the T20 World Cup 2024. In the final against South Africa on June 29 in Barbados, Kohli rediscovered his form, scoring a crucial 76 runs off 59 balls to help India reach 176 runs. This total proved decisive as South Africa managed only 169 runs in reply, securing India’s victory.
Kohli’s outstanding performance in the T20 World Cup final earned him the Player of the Match award. Notably, he stands as the sole cricketer worldwide to have triumphed in the U-19 World Cup, the ODI World Cup, the T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy during his career.
During a Star Sports show reviewing India’s T20 World Cup 2024 journey, Sidhu hailed Kohli as an enduring icon, emphasizing his lasting impact on cricket.
“When it mattered the most, jab 1.5 billion Indians were praying for victory and praying ki hum choke naa kar jaaye, waha he (Virat) stood like a rock of Gibraltar in the sea of ruins. Vo ek end ko pakad ke khadar aha. Akele ne jab naiya fasi hui thi tb bharatvarsh ko vo World Cup ka taaj diya. Virat Kohli—a man of adversity, a man of masses, a master performer, a genius—for me he will always be remembered as an icon, as the greatest inspiration above all, a cup of joy for billions and billions who watch cricket all over,” Sidhu said.
“Virat Kohli is the greatest role model that India has ever seen. Thank you, and I salute you,” he added.
Kohli, who holds the record for the most runs in T20 World Cup history with 1292 runs, concluded his illustrious T20I career with 4188 runs from 125 matches for India. He also boasts the record for the highest number of half-centuries in T20Is and ranks second only to Rohit Sharma in the list of top run scorers in the format.
