Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Virat Kohli struggled with form for the entire T20 World Cup. He had the right intent and got a couple of good starts but the 35-year-old failed to capitalise on those. However, against South Africa, on the night of the final, the star India batter rose to the occasion and played a vital knock of 76 runs off 59 deliveries. When all the other other top order batters failed to make a mark, Kohli made the difference and helped the Men in Blue post 176 runs on the board.
India eventually won by seven runs and Kohli was adjudged Player of the Match. After the game, former India cricketer Virender Sehwag lauded the opener and called him the greatest T20 World Cup batter ever. The Delhi-born cricketer was named the Player of the Tournament in 2014 and 2016 and played a key role in India’s success against Pakistan in the 2022 edition of the tournament.
Sehwag added that his approach towards the game is commendable and wished him the best for the remaining two formats after Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is.
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“What to say about Virat the T20 World Cup batsman. By far the best T20 World Cup batsman ever, carried the team in 2014 and 2016 single-handedly winning games from difficult situations, in 2022 Melbourne will be in folklore of our T20 history and yesterday in the finals showing his class again,” Sehwag tweeted.
“More than the runs, what has been most impressive has been his approach which is reflected in what he says, attributing so much to something larger than himself, which I believe is the grace of a Guru. His T20 career comes to a stellar end and I pray that May the Grace be upon him and he continue to set high standards in the other two formats,” he added.
What to say about Virat the T20 World Cup batsman. By far the best T20 World Cup batsman ever, carried the team in 2014 and 2016 single-handedly winning games from difficult situations, in 2022 Melbourne will be in folklore of our T20 history and yesterday in the finals showing… pic.twitter.com/z4ieFsNWzF
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 30, 2024
Very proud of how Rohit has held himself: Sehwag
India skipper Rohit Sharma changed the culture of the national team. His vision of playing an aggressive brand of cricket helped India qualify for the finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 and win the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Sehwag was happy with Rohit’s impressive showing and added that his caring attitude helped the team massively.
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“Rohit, the only player who has played all 9 T20 World Cups, have been extremely impressed by the way he had transformed his game into a more attacking one in the last year or so and created a caring atmosphere within the team. It has been much needed and has also brought about results. Very proud of how you have held yourself and wish you the best in the times ahead,” Sehwag said.