Aug 17 – Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar feels Virat Kohli’s experience, skill, and ability to execute under duress make him an essential member of India’s side for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the West Indies and the United States from June 4 to June 30.
Kohli was a member of the Indian squad that proceeded to the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, where he hit a brilliant 82-run innings against Pakistan in a high-octane group match at the MCG. In actuality, he finished the competition with 296 runs in six matches with a strike rate of 136.41 and an average of 98.67. However, neither Kohli nor Rohit Sharma have made an appearance.
“Hundred per cent, he should be there in the T20 team. What he did in the previous T20 World Cup and in those close matches, I don’t see the reason why he can’t be seen playing T20 cricket and next year’s T20 World Cup,” Bangar said on the YouTube channel Cricket Basu’.
Kohli’s expertise and ability to execute under duress, according to Bangar, make him a vital asset to the team. He rejected concerns about Kohli’s strike rate, noting that what actually matters is the player’s performance in critical games. He referenced Kohli’s passionate performance against Pakistan as evidence of his big-game attitude.
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Bangar said that Kohli’s style of play, which includes scoring without hitting sixes, is a useful asset. This was seen when Kohli got a century without hitting a single six against the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023.
“You know that in big situations where emotions are running high, one small mistake can cost you a lot of money.” You need big players who have been in those circumstances before. It doesn’t really matter what your strike rate is or what you’ve done in the IPL at that time; big games require big match players. He (Kohli) demonstrated great courage during the India-Pakistan game.”
