The stage is set for a monumental clash at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Two unbeaten teams, India and South Africa, will battle in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final, promising a nail-biting encounter between cricketing giants. Ahead of this high-stakes match, South African players have showered Virat Kohli, the star Indian batsman, with respect despite his recent struggles.
While Kohli hasn’t replicated his phenomenal IPL 2024 performance, his past achievements and reputation continue to command respect from his opponents.
Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s fearsome fast bowler, acknowledged Kohli’s dominance: “The guy who keeps doing it over and over again is Kohli, isn’t it? He’s the best. Well, he wins games for his team. He’s the rock,” Rabada said in a video shared by Star Sports.
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South African captain Aiden Markram echoed this sentiment, highlighting Kohli’s relentless drive: “I mean, his record speaks for itself. The ability to keep competing and keep wanting to get better and keep raising the bar, I think, inspires a lot of players.” Even David Miller, known for his explosive batting, couldn’t help but admire Kohli’s fiery spirit: “I just enjoy his fiery character, his competitiveness, the will to win.”
“He’s the best” 🙌
“He’s a legend of the game” 💙🎥 | Watch what #AidenMarkram, @KagisoRabada25, #DavidMiller & others have to say on what sets @imVkohli apart 👀
The #Final awaits 👉 #INDvSA | TODAY, 6 PM | #T20WorldCupOnStar pic.twitter.com/fiPlPWGhZ8
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 29, 2024
Keshav Maharaj added to the praise, emphasizing Kohli’s longevity at the peak of the game: “He’s a legend of the game and to still be doing it at optimal… he’s at an age where people would have said, certainly, but I think he just proves them wrong from his fitness level, from his skill level, his energy and passion on the field. And that’s probably why he is who he is today.”
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Tabraiz Shamsi, the South African spinner, offered a unique perspective: “It’s just his mindset and the way that he operates on the cricket field. That’s what sets him apart from the other guys. And fortunately, I’ve played with him as well, so I’ve got to know him a bit more on a personal level. So in a way, I know what buttons to press, maybe just to try and put him in a different frame of mind.”
While Kohli’s performance in the T20 World Cup hasn’t matched his IPL success, his potential for a game-changing knock remains a threat. As India prepares for the final, all eyes will be on Kohli to see if he can find his form and lead his team to victory. The encounter promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy, with respect for each other’s talent adding a layer of intrigue to the highly anticipated clash.
