Rohit Sharma Backs Virat Kohli to Shine in T20 World Cup Final Against South Africa

Rohit Sharma is confident in Virat Kohli ahead of the T20 World Cup Final. India captain Rohit Sharma suggested that fellow star batsman Virat Kohli’s run-drought could well end in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa after his opening partner fell cheaply once again on Thursday.

Kohli’s run of low scores at the tournament continued when he was dismissed for just nine during India’s semifinal win against defending champions England in Guyana.

IND vs ENG, T20 World Cup 2024: India to take revenge for 2022 loss and qualifies for the first final in 10 years after defeating England

Kohli’s Dismissal Against England

Kohli pulled Reece Topley for a six, but two balls later, the left-arm paceman bowled Kohli, knocking over the leg stump.

Former captain Kohli, 35, has now scored just 75 runs in seven innings this tournament at an average of 10.71.

Rohit’s Faith in Virat Kohli

But Rohit was convinced it would not be long before Kohli, one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation, was back to his best.

“Virat is a quality player,” Rohit said. “Any player can go through that. We understand his class. When you have played for 15 years, form is never a problem. He’s probably saving it for the final.”

Rohit, by contrast, has scored 248 runs, including three fifties, at an average of over 41 in the tournament.

And on Thursday, the India captain’s 57, which followed a blistering 92 against Australia last time out, was the cornerstone of India’s 171-7.

That total proved far too much for England, as India won by 68 runs after the title-holders collapsed to 103 all out, with spinners Kuldeep Yadav (3-19) and Axar Patel (3-23) doing the bulk of the damage.

India will now face South Africa in Saturday’s final in Barbados, with the match at the Kensington Oval featuring a clash of the tournament’s two unbeaten teams.

Rohit Sharma’s Strategy for the T20 World Cup Final

“We’ve been very calm,” said Rohit Sharma, also the skipper, when India suffered an agonising loss on home soil to Australia in last year’s 50-over World Cup final.

“We understand the occasion of the final. It’s important we stay composed because that helps us make good decisions. We have been very steady, and calm, and that has been the key for us. We’ll try our best. All I can hope is to put in another good show come the final.”

Also Read: 5 Players Behind India’s Dramatic Success in T20 World Cup 2024