'We know how special Virat Kohli is, so we just have to wait and see what he delivers' - Chris Gayle

As India prepares to face South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final on June 29 at the Kensington Oval, Barbados all eyes will be on star batter Virat Kohli.

Despite his recent struggles in the tournament, former West Indies batter Chris Gayle has strongly supported the modern-day great, reminding the world of Kohli's class and potential to turn the tide in crucial moments.

The marquee event has been a story of differences for the 35-year-old. Following a stellar IPL season where he was the highest run-getter with 741 runs from 15 innings, Kohli has struggled to find his form in the World Cup, managing only 75 runs from seven innings, including two ducks.

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Gayle emphasized the nature of cricket and the potential for even the greatest players to face challenging periods in their careers. He mentioned that no one should write off a player of Kohli's calibre and believes the right-hand batter can do something special in the summit clash. 

“These things happen to superstars or world-class players such as Virat. We know how dominant he has been in previous World Cups. A bat patch can happen to anybody. But the good thing about it. He is in the final, and sometimes big players can be called upon to step up and win the actual game for the team as well,” Gayle said at a press conference.

"So you cannot write off a player like Virat Kohli without a doubt. We know how special he is, so we just have to wait and see what he delivers tomorrow,” Gayle added. Gayle's words carry significant weight, given his experience playing alongside Kohli for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the cash-rich league.

Also Read: Virat Kohli has a great chance to become hero in final of T20 World Cup 2024: Mohammad Kaif

He is looking good, and the intent is there: Rohit Sharma

India skipper Rohit Sharma has also opened up about Kohli's form, suggesting that the star batter might save his best for the finals against South Africa. Sharma's faith in Kohli's abilities remains firm.

“He is a quality paper. Any player can go through that. We do understand this class and understand his importance in all these big games. Form is never a problem, especially when you’ve played cricket for 15 years. He is looking good, and the intent is there. He is probably saving for the final,” Rohit said in the post-match interview.