Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif urged the out-of-form Virat Kohli to emulate MS Dhoni‘s heroics from the 2011 ODI World Cup final in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, scheduled in Barbados on Saturday, June 29.
Kohli has struggled in the tournament , gathering most effective 75 runs at an average of 10.71 and a strike rate of 100 in 7 matches. In the 2011 50-over World Cup, Dhoni faced comparable difficulties, scoring just 150 runs without a half-century in 8 games.
However, in the final against Sri Lanka, the renowned wicketkeeper-batter delivered a match-winning 91* off 79 balls, Achieving the title for India.
In a video posted on his X account, Kaif stated:
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni was out of form in the 2011 ODI World Cup. He played an unbeaten 91-run knock in the final. His six over long on off Kulasekara is etched in everybody’s mind. That’s why I think Virat Kohli has a great chance to become a hero.”
“Virat Kohli needs to remember that even Dhoni didn’t have a great World Cup in 2011, but he found form in the final. Small suggestion: He is too good a player to slog, he can play ball on merit and dominate any bowline attack,” he added.
https://twitter.com/MohammadKaif/status/1806707892470288686
Dhoni’s outstanding display in the final earned him the Player of the Match award as India successfully chased down a challenging target of 275 runs in the penultimate over, securing victory with six wickets remaining.
“He needs to put aside his current poor form”- Mohammad Kaif
https://twitter.com/Sportskeeda/status/1806425412727120353
Mohammad Kaif believed that Virat Kohli should set aside his current poor form and remember his outstanding innings against South Africa in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Playing on a difficult pitch at Eden Gardens, the 35-year-old created an amazing 101* from 121 balls, leading India to an impressive overall of 326/five in 50 overs.
“He must forget that he is in poor form. He had hit a century when India last played South Africa in the ODI World Cup at Eden Gardens. As He was brilliant that day and played very well, but he wasn’t slogging that day but was playing the ball on merit with proper cricket shots,” said Kaif.
Although facing difficulties in the current competition, Kohli’s outstanding performance marked his 49th ODI century and led him to finish as the tournament’s top scorer with 765 runs from 11 innings, averaging over 95.
Despite Kohli’s struggles, Team India has maintained a flawless record, winning all seven completed matches to advance to the final.
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