Aakash Chopra observed that Virat Kohli came close to his old best in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 victory over Bangladesh. The former India captain struck an aggressive 28-ball 37, with a single four and three sixes.
On Saturday, June 22, the Men in Blue were asked to bat first in Antigua and gave the Bangla Tigers a 197-run goal. They subsequently restricted Najmul Hossain Shanto and his team to 146/8, securing a comfortable 50-run victory and a place in the semi-finals.
In a video posted to his YouTube page, Aakash Chopra reflected on the first half of India’s innings, noting that Kohli played a fluent knock after Rohit Sharma had given the side a flying start.
“The batting was incredible. Rohit Sharma started first and that has become his template. He has decided that if the tournament’s name is World Cup, whether it’s T20 or ODI, he will start destructively and score runs as quickly as possible. Two shots and then the third shot went straight up in the air and he got out and went.”
“However, he went after setting the template – the captain leading by example. Virat Kohli was at the other end. He said whatever has happened is past, he hit three sixes in this match and only one four. He even hit a no-look shot. He was looking as good as gold. So Kohli’s Virat form was finally seen.”
Aakash Chopra
Rohit scored three fours and a six in his 11-ball 23 and shared 39 runs with Virat Kohli for the opening wicket. The latter then took on the aggressor role, dominating a 32-run second-wicket stand with Rishabh Pant.
Aakash Chopra Discusses the Impact of Kohli and Suryakumar’s Quick Wickets
Aakash Chopra stated that Tanzim Hasan Sakib’s dismissals of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav put India in a difficult situation.
“However, then he (Kohli) got out. If you talk about Tanzim, he is a very decent bowler. He bowled a sort of off-cutter and dismissed Virat Kohli. After that, Suryakumar Yadav hit a six off a bouncer off the first ball but then he too got out immediately due to extra bounce, and India were seen slightly struggling.”
Aakash Chopra
The cricketer-turned-commentator applauded Rishabh Pant for taking a risk before nearly losing his wicket with a careless shot.
“However, Rishabh Pant. He is khatron ka khiladi (plays with danger). It seems like he is playing the wrong game. His name should be in ‘Khatron ke Khiladi’, which comes on some channel, because no one does this job easily. Keep him away from evil eyes, he is batting so well. However, he was dismissed again while playing the reverse sweep. That’s not a good thing.”
Aakash Chopra
Rishabh Pant got 36 runs from 24 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. He reverse swept a Rishad Hossain delivery straight to Tanzim at short third man after smashing the leg-spinner for a six and a four with the previous two balls.