Former Australia captain Michael Clarke thinks Virat Kohli's big knock in the T20 World Cup 2024 is just around the corner. Despite opening alongside Rohit Sharma, Kohli hasn't quite fired in the group stage. This is a surprise considering his explosive form in IPL 2024, where many expected him to dominate the World Cup. Virat Kohli entered the T20 World Cup in red-hot form. He had just dominated the IPL 2024 season, scoring a whopping 741 runs at a blistering strike rate which also earned him the Orange Cap for the first time since 2016.
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Virat Kohli yet to click in T20 World Cup
However, the transition from the IPL 2024 to the World Cup hasn't been smooth for Kohli. The pitches in New York, where India played all their group matches, have been far more challenging than the flat surfaces of the IPL. This has resulted in a struggle for form for Kohli, who has managed very few runs. Even the opening position, traditionally a run-scoring zone, hasn't been easy for any batsman in these conditions.
Despite Kohli's current slump, there's still hope for a turnaround. Given his immense talent and past achievements, many expect a strong comeback. Cricket legend Michael Clarke is one such believer, suggesting that Kohli's big knock in the tournament is just around the corner.
Michael Clarke hopeful of Kohli's big knock in T20 World Cup
Michael Clarke recently spoke with ESPNCricinfo. He expressed his belief that Virat Kohli is on the verge of a significant scoring performance in the T20 World Cup. Clarke downplayed Kohli's recent struggles, stating that three low scores are not a cause for concern. He believes that great players tend to rise to the occasion when faced with challenges, and expects Kohli to bounce back in a big way.
"But they have gone with him at the top of the order where he bats in the IPL. He had a great IPL, so you can understand their reason for doing that. I wouldn't (be) concerned about 3 low scores. All that means to me he is one step closer to making a big one. It's the most important stage as well where the best players usually stand up," Clarke said.
Clarke acknowledged the difficulty batters have faced scoring runs on the pitches used in this T20 World Cup. Despite this challenge, he defended the decision to keep Kohli at the top of the order, citing his impressive performance as an opener during the IPL season earlier this year.
"I think if they feel that's their best 11, then keep him there. He has been playing on a pitch that has been tough for opening batters. I don't think 3 low scores make any difference to Kohli. If India feels it is their best 11 by him opening the bat. Because there was a lot of talk throughout the IPL that Virat was going to bat at No.3 in this Indian team," Michael Clarke concluded.
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