Virat Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, praised the star batter following his match-winning performance against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. Kohli played a crucial innings of 76 runs off 59 balls, stabilizing the Indian innings after they were struggling at 34/3 in 4.3 overs. He formed a key partnership with Axar Patel for the fourth wicket, adding 72 runs off 54 balls, which helped India recover.
Surya Kumar Yadav said, “the tempo and the brand of cricket that Virat bhai played was much needed with wickets falling otherwise the total would have been 150 instead of 176”. (Sports Tak). pic.twitter.com/19zdau3T8E
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 30, 2024
Virat Kohli Childhood Coach Backed Him When Odds Were Against Him
“I was very sure because if you see his career he has always liked tough situations. He always likes challenges and it was there yesterday. We were 34/3 and needed someone to take the team along. Who else other than Virat would’ve done this? Something he’s been doing throughout his career and has won so many games from this position only. He did it for the country again. I’m really proud of him,” said Rajkumar Sharma in an exclusive conversation with India Today.
“I was very sure, he was playing well and middling it and knew that a big innings was around the corner. Big players are those who score on big occasions and when the team needs it which he has always done,” he added.
After Patel’s unfortunate run-out in the 14th over, Kohli picked up the pace, completing his half-century off 48 balls, and led India to a total of 176/7 in 20 overs. Rajkumar expressed his confidence in Kohli’s ability to deliver in tough situations and noted that he always believed a significant innings was imminent from the star player.
Rajkumar also supported the decision of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to retire from T20Is, though he acknowledged the difficulty the next generation will face in filling their shoes.
“It was a big decision for both and appreciate it. Rohit Sharma has set an example by announcing retirement after winning the world cup. On the other hand, Kohli who was the Player of the Match of that World Cup which is the best performance by any player from there he’s retiring. Both legends are going and it won’t be easy for the next generation to fill this gap but fortunately India have good youngsters and are capable of replacing them. However, they will take time to reach the heights Kohli and Rohit did but we have enough talent,” Rajkumar further said.
In the T20 World Cup final, South Africa seemed to be in control, needing just 30 runs from the last 30 balls to win. However, the Indian seamers turned the game around, securing a narrow seven-run victory and ending India’s 11-year ICC Trophy drought by winning their second T20 World Cup.
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