Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Star India batter Virat Kohli has faced significant criticism after flopping in the group stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup. He has made just five runs in three matches, which put him under the scanner, especially with Yashasvi Jaiswal warming the bench.
In IPL 2024, Kohli was criticised for his strike rate in the first half of the tournament but the 35-year-old silenced all his critics in the second half as he also finished as the leading run-scorer of the cash-rich tournament. Former cricketer Kris Srikkanth expects the Delhi-born cricketer to repeat the same in the T20 World Cup.
The 1983 World Cup winner emphasised that Kohli is the ‘King of Kings’ and added that him getting back to form is just a matter of time. India will play Afghanistan on June 20 in their first match of the Super 8 and ahead of that, Srikkanth pointed out that the surface in Barbados is very good for batting, which will suit Kohli. Furthermore, he asked the media and the experts to leave him alone during his bad phase.
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“Virat is the King of Kings. King of Kings, Kohli. He knows how to adjust himself. I can imagine you’re thinking, ‘Come on, you’re going to play in Barbados. The wicket is going to be much better in Barbados.’ In the first match, I think England-Australia played better, and I believe Australia scored 200 runs on that pitch,” Srikkanth said on Star Sports.
“So, in my opinion, Barbados is going to have a good wicket. Therefore, I don’t think we should worry about it. What has happened, has happened. Tomorrow, we’re playing against Afghanistan. I don’t think we should worry either. I believe there’s a player who can adjust beautifully. He will score runs and win matches for India. Guys, just leave him alone. That’s it. Just leave him alone,” he added.
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India will also play Bangladesh and Australia in the Super 8. The top two teams from the group will then go on to play in the semi-finals.