ICC T20 World Cup 2024: [WATCH] 4,4,4- Virat Kohli Dismantles Jansen with Elegant Boundaries in the Opening Over

Experience Indian batter Virat Kohli has struggled with his form in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, within the crucial final towards South Africa, he began in wonderful delivery by smashing three boundaries in the very first over of the match.

The Indian superstar initiated with a graceful square drive as Marco Jansen delivered it full and outside off stump. Kohli timed the ball impeccably, sending it racing to the boundary. The next delivery, pitched full on middle and leg, allowed Kohli to execute his trademark flick shot wide of square leg for another boundary.

The highlight of the over came on the final ball when Jansen overpitched outside off again. Kohli leaned into a flawless straight drive, sending the ball past the bowler for his third boundary of the over.

You can watch the video here:

https://x.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1807063446711947561

However, India’s celebration was brief as Keshav Maharaj, introduced in the second over, dismissed Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant to unsettle India early in the crucial final. Earlier, Rohit won the toss and chose to bat first, and now India must rely on their middle order to perform if they aim to set a substantial total on the flat pitch in Barbados.

India lose their top three run-getters – Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) – during the powerplay

After Virat Kohli launched an assault on Marco Jansen in the opening over of the T20 World Cup final, South Africa captain Aiden Markram turned to Keshav Maharaj to bowl the second over.

On a remarkably flat pitch seen in this tournament, Maharaj conceded a couple of boundaries but swiftly helped South Africa regain momentum with two wickets in his first over.

First, Rohit Sharma faced a tossed-up delivery on the off stump. The Indian captain attempted a forceful sweep but failed to keep it down, and Heinrich Klaasen held onto the catch at backward square leg.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8zb1b9Ox1Q/?igsh=MWRhZWp4dDRsamEwZQ==

The incoming batsman, Rishabh Pant, faced a similar delivery – tossed up on the off stump. However, unlike his captain’s decisive shot, Pant’s execution was mistimed. He edged the ball, resulting in a straightforward catch for Quinton de Kock, who didn’t need to move much to complete the dismissal.

While Rohit Sharma has been India’s top run-scorer in this World Cup, scoring 3 half-centuries, consisting of important innings against Australia and England, Rishabh Pant had moved a lot of the scoring load all through India’s group stage matches. However, his run-scoring has declined since the second round.

Before the powerplay ended, India also lost Suryakumar Yadav, who has been the team’s second-highest run-getter in the tournament. Kagiso Rabada took his wicket. Suryakumar attempted one of his preferred strokes, picking a delivery from the off stump to play towards the backward square leg boundary, where Klaasen made the catch.

Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.