'Kohli is always there in big matches' - Nasser Hussain backs star batter to deliver big in T20 World Cup final

Virat Kohli’s bat has been silent throughout the T20 World Cup 2024 as the batter seems to be struggling with his opener’s role. He has scored just 75 runs in eight innings and has got out in the powerplay seven times. The batter seems to have failed to read the variable bounce in the pitches as he has resorted to an attacking mindset contrary to his conventional self. As India take on South Africa in the Final, his form remains crucial.

Ahead of the impending final, former England captain, Nasser Hussain has pinned his hopes on the Talismanic batter to deliver on the biggest of the occasion. He reminisced Kohli’s famous innings against Pakistan at MCG in 2022 and asserted that the batter stands up in big games. Hussain highlighted that though the right-handed batter has failed to procure runs, his strike is decent enough.

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"I mean you go back to the game against Pakistan at the MCG, India were floundering. Who was there at the end smashing? That's the biggest game of all time for the Indians. India-Pakistan, you know. So he is always there in big matches,” said Hussain as quoted by NDTV Sports.

"I personally think Virat Kohli should bat like he's batted over the last decade. He's got a strike rate of 138. He can be the glue, the rock, you know, they all bat around, and they all come in playing their shots. You cannot doubt Kohli as a player. You cannot doubt him in a big match. He has suffered because of that New York pitch because he had a brilliant IPL," he added.

Kohli coming out of intense scrutiny ahead of T20 World Cup

Kohli was under the scanner ahead of the marquee event as there were rumors surrounding him getting dropped owing to his poor strike rate in T20Is. But the batter proved his worth by grabbing the Orange Cap in IPL 2024, the award for the highest run-getter. He was exceptional while he opened for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL, but has failed to replicate the same for the national side in a similar spot.