Virat Kohli is a legend of the game: Keshav Maharaj

Two unbeaten teams, India and South Africa, are set to face off in the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two cricketing powerhouses.

Ahead of the big final, South African players got vocal with their opinions about Virat Kohli, the star Indian batter. Despite Kohli's lean patch in this tournament, his reputation and past performances continue to earn respect from opponents.

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa's ace fast bowler, praised Kohli, saying, "The guy who keeps doing it over and over again is Kohli, isn't it? He's the best. Well, he wins games for his team. He's the rock," said Rabada in a video shared by Star Sports.

Captain Aiden Markram echoed similar sentiments, stating, "I mean, his record speaks for itself. The ability to keep competing and keep wanting to get better and keep raising the bar, I think, inspires a lot of players."

David Miller, known for his explosive batting, commented, "I just enjoy his fiery character, his competitiveness, the will to win."

Keshav Maharaj also had high praise for Kohli, adding, "He's a legend of the game and to still be doing it at optimal. I mean, he's not old, he's not young, but he's at an age where people would have said, certainly, but I think he just proves them wrong from his fitness level, from his skill level, his energy and passion on the field. And that's probably why he is who he is today."

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Tabraiz Shamsi, the South African spinner, highlighted Kohli's mindset, saying, "It's just his mindset and the way that he operates on the cricket field. That's what sets him apart from the other guys. And fortunately, I've played with him as well, so I've got to know him a bit more on a personal level. So in a way, I know what buttons to press, maybe just to try and put him in a different frame of mind."

Kohli, who ended IPL 2024 with the Orange Cap by racking up a whopping 741 runs, has struggled in the T20 World Cup. In seven games, Kohli has not been able to replicate his IPL success. However, his potential to turn the game around remains undeniable. As both teams gear up for the final, all eyes will be on Kohli to see if he can find his form and lead India to victory.