Team India head coach Rahul Dravid predicted a big score from star batter Virat Kohli in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados on June 29. Following an impressive IPL 2024 season, the 35-year-old was expected to deliver match-winning performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
However, Kohli has had a difficult tournament, handling just 75 runs at an average of 10.71 and a strike rate of a hundred in seven matches. Despite its struggles, India has remained unbeaten, winning all seven games leading as up as to the final.
Speaking to Star Sports after their dominant semi-final win over England, Dravid praised Kohli’s intent and expressed confidence that he deserves a big score in the final.
“I love the intent, I love the way he went about doing it,” Dravid said. “It sets a good example for the group as well if he’s willing to do it. And you know, for some reason, I don’t want to jinx it but I think there’s a big one coming up. I’m just loving his attitude and that he’s committing himself on the field – I think he deserves it.”
Virat Kohli’s general dominance in T20Is is obvious as he maintains an average of over 48 with his terrible performance inside the ongoing World Cup. This year, the big name batter has recorded 2 ducks and 5 single-digit score in his seven innings in the event
“Despite his current World Cup struggles, he still averages over 48 in T20Is” – Virat Kohli’s dominance highlighted despite poor form
https://x.com/Sportskeeda/status/1806425412727120353
“Rahul Dravid thinks Virat Kohli was unlucky to be dismissed in the semi-final against England after hitting a stunning six just a couple of deliveries before.”
“Kohli was on only one run from 6 balls when he casually flicked a maximum over deep mid-wicket off Reece Topley. However, attempting another shot down the leg side, he was bowled out two balls later.”
“You know with Virat, the thing is, when you play a slightly high-risk brand of cricket there can be times when it doesn’t come off. Even today, I thought he hit a good 6 to set the tempo but he was just unlucky that the ball seemed a little bit more,” said Dravid in the aforementioned chat.
Kohli was India’s leading scorer with 77 runs off 58 balls in their last T20 World Cup final against Sri Lanka in 2014. Despite experiencing possibly his worst form in T20Is, the veteran batter maintains an impressive average of 57.90 across 34 T20 World Cup matches.
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