Virat Kohli. (Source – Getty Images)
India took on South Africa in the Final of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, on (Saturday) June 29. Ahead of the game, Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma has shown confidence in India lifting the World Cup. It is worth noting that India have never won an ICC trophy after their Champions Trophy in 2013. The team came close to winning the World Cup 2023 but lost to Australia in the final on November 19, 2023.
Talking about Kohli, the batter has shown a dip in form amassing just 75 runs in eight games in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. He is entrusted with the opener role and the move has not worked in the favour of the team so far. Rajkumar added that the strategy of the team to come up with an attacking mindset in the powerplay has worked against the star batter and he assured him to claw back.
“It is a matter of great joy that we have finally reached there and that too without losing a single match. I am very hopeful that today we will win this match and lift the trophy. We have not won the ICC trophy for a long time, today that dream of ours will be fulfilled,” said Rajkumar as quoted by Crickit.
“There is no problem with his form. He is playing good cricket. I feel that the strategy of the team is to catch the powerplay or whatever plan is there, they are batting keeping that in mind. He has not made too much run but there is nothing to worry about. The team is doing very well, which is very important. India is looking very very strong with our spinners doing so well,” he added.
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India lose early wickets while opting to bat first in Final
Team India were off to a good start after winning the toss and opting to bat in the final against South Africa. Virat Kohli smashed three boundaries in the first over of the innings and seemed to have found his usual touch.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma pats Virat Kohli’s back after three boundaries in first over of Final
Skipper Rohit Sharma departed after scoring two consecutive boundaries off Keshav Maharaj and Rishabh Pant followed suit leaving India reeling at 23 for 2.