Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has noted that it hasn’t been a good T20 World Cup for Virat Kohli. The talisman has managed only 66 runs in six matches of the T20I showpiece and hasn’t been able to bring his best.
The Indian opener was dismissed for a five-ball duck against Australia at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Monday. Kohli got a top edge while trying to play a hook shot against Josh Hazlewood and was caught nicely by Tim David.
Kohli could only manage five runs in the group stage in New York whereas he scored a run-a-ball 24 against Afghanistan in the Super 8 opener. The right-hander scored 37 runs off 28 balls against Bangladesh but was dismissed for a blob against Australia.
“India lost the toss but Australia did what Bangladesh had done. They opted to bowl and I was clapping. Kohli did get out at the start for sure. Kohli’s World Cup hasn’t been good at all. A little form was seen for sure in the last match but he got out for zero this time. Our hearts started beating a little fast because he is an incredible player but he got out,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra praised Suryakumar Yadav for playing a crucial cameo of 16-ball 31 and helping India in keeping up the momentum, which was provided by Rohit Sharma.
“Then Rishabh Pant got out and Suryakumar Yadav came to bat. Surya and Rohit Sharma were together and they played well. Suryakumar’s knock won’t be spoken about a lot although he scored 31 runs off just 16 balls, which included two sixes and three fours. So it was an important knock,” Chopra observed.
Meanwhile, Shivam Dube scored 28 runs from 22 balls and the renowned commentator said he expects better from the strong left-hander.
“Shivam Dube played slightly slow, let’s be fair. 28 runs off 22 balls – you expect better than that from him. Dube ji – fasten the seat belt slightly and pull up your socks a little because there are more expectations from you and if you don’t live up to them, the heart will ache a little,” he said in the same video.
Hardik Pandya continued his good form, scoring 27 runs off 17 balls to add the finishing touches and helpe India in crossing the 200-run mark.
“Hardik Pandya came as a solace for us. He scored 27 runs off 17 balls and hit two sixes. Importantly, let’s not forget that Australia dropped an odd catch as well. Mitchell Marsh dropped a catch and (Marcus) Stoinis came to bowl in the end. 56 runs were scored in his four overs. Off-spinner Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) wasn’t bowled a single over and overall India reached 205,” Chopra stated.
India will face England in the semifinals at the Providence Stadium, Guyana on Thursday.
