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Yuvraj Singh, legendary Indian all-rounder, has declared Virat Kohli the best batsman of this generation and believes Kohli deserves another World Cup title more than anyone. As Kohli gears up for his sixth T20 World Cup appearance in 2024, Yuvraj, recently named as the T20 World Cup ambassador, acknowledges his hunger for the coveted trophy. Kohli's maiden T20 World Cup came in 2012, following India's lone victory in the format (2011).
T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to kick off on June 2, holds utmost significance for Kohli, who is coming on the heels of his record-breaking performance at the ODI World Cup 2023, where he clinched the Player of the Tournament award. Yuvraj emphasises Kohli's well-deserved chance at another World Cup medal, echoing his 2011 triumph.
Kohli has broken all the records of this era: Yuvraj Singh
“He has definitely broken all the records in this era. The best batter of this generation, I feel, in all formats. And I think he is also someone who needs a World Cup Medal. He has one. I'm sure he is not satisfied with one. I think he surely deserves that medal as well,” Yuvraj Singh said in a conversation with ICC.
"I think he understands his game really well. He knows if he's there till the end, he is going to win the game for India and he has done that on some big occasions - against Australia in Mohali as well. "Once he had the confidence of chasing and knowing the situation, he knows how to bat in these situations, knows which bowlers to attack, which bowlers to take singles off, when to attack again, handle the pressure and knows when to change his game," he added.
Though the 2016 and 2022 editions saw Kohli deliver some of the most iconic knocks in T20 World Cup history, Yuvraj Singh believes Kohli's peak performance came in 2014. That year, Kohli dominated the tournament, scoring the most runs ever in a single T20 World Cup edition. Yuvraj, having witnessed these phenomenal displays firsthand as Kohli's teammate, was particularly impressed, praising Kohli's "unbelievable" ball-striking throughout the competition. While Kohli's future performances hold immense promise, Yuvraj highlights the 2014 tournament as a testament to Kohli's exceptional talent.
"I think he was outstanding. He was in one of the best forms of his life. He was hitting the ball unbelievably. And I had a small partnership with him (in the final) and then he batted with Dhoni," Yuvraj recalled. Kohli has had little issue keeping up with T20's quick growth, amassing 542 runs in the IPL 2024 at an average of 67.75 and a strike rate of 148.08. What makes him so unique? Yuvraj further said.
"Why I think he was so good was because every time in nets or a practice situation, he would not go and just slog balls," Yuvraj describes. "In the nets, he would always bat like he was batting in a match. He put that in repetition after repetition after repetition. I have not seen that in many players. I think that is the key to his success," Yuvraj concluded.
Kohli's dominant form extends to the ongoing IPL season, where Kohli currently holds the prestigious Orange Cap. Kohli has so far amassed 542 runs for RCB in the IPL 2024 at an impressive average of 67.75 and a blistering strike rate of 148.08 riding on a splendid century, further solidifying his position as a generational talent.
India squad for T20 World Cup 2024
India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan.
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