The stage is set for the highly anticipated final of the T20 World Cup, where India will face South Africa at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday, June 29. Both teams have shown exceptional performance throughout the tournament, and the clash promises to be an exhilarating contest for the coveted title.
As the final approaches, the Indian team is brimming with confidence in almost every aspect of their game. However, there is one concern that looms large: the form of their star batter, Virat Kohli. Despite being a key player for India, Kohli has struggled to make a significant impact with the bat in this tournament, particularly when opening the innings.
In light of Kohli’s form, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has stepped forward to offer his support and encouragement. Kaif drew a parallel between Kohli’s current situation and that of MS Dhoni during the 2011 ODI World Cup. Dhoni had faced a slump in form throughout that tournament but delivered a match-winning performance in the final.
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“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 bowling attack,” Mohammad Kaif was quoted as saying by IndiaToday.
Kaif emphasized that Dhoni’s unforgettable unbeaten 91-run knock in the 2011 World Cup final, capped by his iconic six over long-on off Kulasekara, serves as a powerful reminder of how a player can rise to the occasion. He believes that Kohli has the potential to emulate Dhoni’s heroics and become a hero in the final.
Furthermore, Mohammad Kaif advised Kohli to put his recent struggles out of his mind and draw inspiration from past successes. He particularly highlighted Kohli’s century against South Africa in the ODI World Cup at Eden Gardens, where he played a composed and technically sound innings without resorting to desperate shots.
“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. 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,” Mohammad Kaif added.
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With the final just around the corner, Kohli’s ability to find form could be a decisive factor in India’s quest for the T20 World Cup title. Fans and teammates alike will be hoping that the star batter rises to the occasion and delivers a memorable performance.
