Virat Kohli’s dismal performance with the bat in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has become a major point. The former Indian captain has not lived up to expectations so far in the tournament.
Ahead of the T20 World Cup, he enjoyed a stellar campaign in this year’s Indian Premier League and finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer. While no other batsman could even touch the 600-run mark in IPL 2024, Virat Kohli scored an impressive 741 runs with the help of a century and five half-centuries.
With Virat Kohli in top form, expectations were sky-high. However, the right-handed batsman has not performed well so far. The Indian team management decided to promote him as a tournament opener after his success in the IPL, but so far he has failed to justify the move.
In the group stage, he failed to reach the double-digit mark with the bat in three outings, scoring just 5 runs. He scored 1 and 5 runs against Ireland and Pakistan respectively before missing out against the United States. His form in Super 8 was also not very promising.
The right-handed batsman played knocks of 24 and 37 against Afghanistan and Bangladesh respectively, but did not look at his best. In the decisive Super 8 match against Australia he could not even open his account and was left goalless.
Virat Kohli will come in handy: Dinesh Karthik
With Virat Kohli struggling at the top of the batting order, there have been calls from various quarters to relocate him to his familiar position at number three. However, former Indian batsman Dinesh Karthik has a different opinion.
Replying to a fan’s question whether Kohli should start batting at number three again, Dinesh Karthik said his former teammate’s position should not be changed. He also said that Kohli is batting with utmost intent and backed him to regain his form soon. Dinesh Karthik further stated that nothing should be changed in the current Indian team at this time.
“No, no, no. Patience, patience. He is batting with the utmost intent that any opener can have. Nothing should change in this Indian team. They are doing perfectly in terms of batting order, how they have utilized their resources. Virat Kohli It will turn out fine, I assure you. Don’t worry. It’s Virat Kohli,” Dinesh Karthik said in a video posted by Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, India have booked their place in the semi-final after an unbeaten run in the competition so far. They will face defending champions England in the semi-final on Thursday (June 26).
