NEW DELHI: A stable 59-ball 76 from star batter Virat Kohli took India to a aggressive 176 for 7 within the high-pressure T20 World Cup remaining in Barbados final week.
After India opted to bat, Proteas bowlers fired in unison early as Rohit Sharma and Co. had been three down contained in the powerplay itself. Nonetheless, Kohli stood stable as a rock on the different finish and performed the anchor position to perfection.
He first arrested India’s slide with a 72-run stand with Axar Patel after which took India ahead within the second half alongside Shivam Dube and others, taking India to a stable whole.
However former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Kohli’s knock was too sluggish and will have put India in a good nook.
Reigniting the Kohli strike-rate debate that haunted the opener throughout the IPL, Manjrekar mentioned Kohli’s conservative method did not permit the likes of Hardik Pandya an excessive amount of time within the center.
“By enjoying that innings, Hardik Pandya, one in every of their most devastating batters, had simply two balls to face. So I assumed India’s batting was good, however Virat Kohli had doubtlessly performed an innings that might’ve put India in a good nook. And it nearly proved to be that, earlier than these guys’ bowlers got here in the long run,” Manjrekar instructed ESPNCricinfo.
With 30 wanted off 30 balls and 6 wickets in hand, Proteas batters choked within the chase as India bowlers pulled off a miracle turnaround.
Manjrekar mentioned that the bowlers got here to Kohli’s rescue, in any other case there would have been questions on Kohli’s intent within the finale.
“India had been in a shedding place, 90 % successful probabilities (for South Africa). The entire turnaround truly saved Virat Kohli’s innings as a result of he performed just about half the innings with a strike-rate of 128. My Participant of the Match would’ve been a bowler as a result of they really took the sport from the jaws of defeat and received it for India,” he added.
As Rohit and Co. received the thrilling finale by 7 runs, India ended an over-a-decade lengthy ICC title drought.
The 2024 T20 World Cup title is now India’s second within the format. Within the inaugural 2007 version, India received the title beneath the management of legendary MS Dhoni.
After India opted to bat, Proteas bowlers fired in unison early as Rohit Sharma and Co. had been three down contained in the powerplay itself. Nonetheless, Kohli stood stable as a rock on the different finish and performed the anchor position to perfection.
He first arrested India’s slide with a 72-run stand with Axar Patel after which took India ahead within the second half alongside Shivam Dube and others, taking India to a stable whole.
However former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Kohli’s knock was too sluggish and will have put India in a good nook.
Reigniting the Kohli strike-rate debate that haunted the opener throughout the IPL, Manjrekar mentioned Kohli’s conservative method did not permit the likes of Hardik Pandya an excessive amount of time within the center.
“By enjoying that innings, Hardik Pandya, one in every of their most devastating batters, had simply two balls to face. So I assumed India’s batting was good, however Virat Kohli had doubtlessly performed an innings that might’ve put India in a good nook. And it nearly proved to be that, earlier than these guys’ bowlers got here in the long run,” Manjrekar instructed ESPNCricinfo.
With 30 wanted off 30 balls and 6 wickets in hand, Proteas batters choked within the chase as India bowlers pulled off a miracle turnaround.
Manjrekar mentioned that the bowlers got here to Kohli’s rescue, in any other case there would have been questions on Kohli’s intent within the finale.
“India had been in a shedding place, 90 % successful probabilities (for South Africa). The entire turnaround truly saved Virat Kohli’s innings as a result of he performed just about half the innings with a strike-rate of 128. My Participant of the Match would’ve been a bowler as a result of they really took the sport from the jaws of defeat and received it for India,” he added.
As Rohit and Co. received the thrilling finale by 7 runs, India ended an over-a-decade lengthy ICC title drought.
The 2024 T20 World Cup title is now India’s second within the format. Within the inaugural 2007 version, India received the title beneath the management of legendary MS Dhoni.
