Former England captain, Nasser Hussain, has expressed his confidence in India’s Virat Kohli ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 Final against South Africa in Barbados on June 29.
More: Why India will win the 2024 T20 World Cup? Three factors that give the Men in Blue an advantage ahead of the Final
Kohli has had a challenging tournament with the bat, scoring only 75 runs in 7 innings so far. Despite his struggles, Hussain believes in Kohli’s ability to shine in crucial moments, citing his past performances in big ICC events.
BET NOW: Exclusive sign-up offers and bonuses when you bet on T20 World Cup action
Reasons behind Nasser Hussain’s support for Virat Kohli in the T20 World Cup Final
In a discussion on Sky Sports Cricket before the Final, Hussain, along with Eoin Morgan and Michael Atherton, defended Kohli’s place in the team despite his recent form. He highlighted Kohli’s match-winning innings against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 as evidence of his ability to perform under pressure.
“You go to the game against Pakistan at the MCG when India were floundering and Kohli was smashing it. That was the biggest game of all time for India, because it was India-Pakistan. He is always there in big matches.”
Hussain advised Kohli to stick to his natural batting style and act as the anchor in the team, allowing other batters to play their shots freely. He attributed Kohli’s struggles in the current tournament to the challenging pitch conditions.
Read More: ‘Saving for the final’ – Rohit Sharma hopeful of Virat Kohli masterclass in T20 World Cup final against South Africa
Despite Kohli’s recent form, Hussain emphasized his pedigree as a player and his ability to excel in high-pressure situations. He acknowledged Kohli’s efforts to regain his batting rhythm and believed that a few overs at the crease could make a significant difference for him.
“Who will India want at the end, under pressure, in a big game – they will want Kohli! I though England would be really pleased watching Kohli look so frenetic in the semi-final, as opposed to him showing some class.”