Aakash Chopra trusts that Virat Kohli is maintaining his form even if the runs have not been pouring from his bat in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup. The erstwhile Indian captain fell for a duck off Saurabh Netravalkars delivery in Indias match against the United States of America.
The USA elected to bat first in New York on Wednesday June 12 setting India a 111run target. Despite Virat Kohli’s failure to score the Group A tabletoppers clinched a sevenwicket win with 10 deliveries left to secure their place in the Super Eights.
In a video posted on his YouTube page, Aakash Chopra remarked on Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s early dismissals in India’s chase. Regarding the former, he said:
“In the run chase, Virat Kohli got out in the first over itself. It’s been three matches and Virat has been dismissed off deliveries outside off-stump all three times – once in the deep off Mark Adair’s bowling, once at point off Naseem Shah’s bowling, and Saurabh Netravalkar here.”
Aakash Chopra
However, the former India opener stated that he is unconcerned by Kohli’s slow start in the first three games.
“You think whether everything is right. I was saying before the last match as well and I am saying after this match too that I am not worried. I am bullish that Virat Kohli will score runs as he is not out of form, he is just out of runs right now.”
Aakash Chopra
Virat Kohli has scored just five runs in three innings in the 2017 T20 World Cup. Prior to his golden duck against the United States, he was dismissed for one against Ireland and four against Pakistan.
“I feel Virat Kohli will score runs there” – Aakash Chopra on India’s next game in Florida
Aakash Chopra fervently pointed out the exceptional form of Virat Kohli during IPL 2024 and passionately suggested that Kohli needs to excel in Indias next encounter against Canada in Florida.
“He went there with the form of more than 700 runs. His bat hasn’t struck the ball that well here, runs haven’t come from the bat, but the story has ended here. Now they will be going to Lauderhill, which means when the match happens in Florida, we will be alright there. I feel Virat Kohli will score runs there.”
Aakash Chopra
Turning his attention to Rohit Sharma, the well-known analyst observed that the Indian captain was once again defeated by a left-arm seamer.
“Rohit Sharma once again got out against a left-arm seamer. He got caught in the deep off Shaheen Shah Afridi’s bowling and here got caught at mid-off off Saurabh Netravalkar’s bowling, and you say what’s happening.”
Aakash Chopra
However, Chopra was certain that Rohit, like Kohli, would score runs in other places.
“Don’t worry about him also. He scored a fifty in the first match. Runs haven’t come in two matches. Don’t worry, just like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma will also leave here with folded hands that he won’t return and go and score runs elsewhere, which will be scored.”
Aakash Chopra
Rohit made 52 runs in India’s opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland. However, in his previous two innings, he has scored 16 runs, including a six-ball three against the USA.