India’s cricketing icon, Virat Kohli, has been experiencing a rough patch in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scoring just 5 runs in 3 matches. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra, however, believes that Kohli is poised to regain his form in the upcoming Super 8 clash against Afghanistan on June 20 in Barbados.
Kohli’s Struggle and Potential Comeback
Chopra, while hosting ‘#AAKASHVANI’ on JioCinema, expressed optimism about Kohli’s chances of a comeback: “I believe Virat Kohli should return to form against Afghanistan, not because of the opponent, but because of the calibre of player he is and the form he exhibited coming into this World Cup. Considering the venue, there is hope the ball will come onto the bat well, and the side boundaries aren’t very large. I think he has been overly aggressive.”
Chopra further analyzed Kohli’s recent approach: “In India’s last match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, he attempted a six on the first ball and got out. His dismissals during this World Cup suggest an overly positive approach that hasn’t worked for him. I hope he gives himself some time because Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq are in excellent form, plus they have a strong spin attack. If Kohli gives himself some time, his form won’t be a concern.”
The Pitch Factor
Chopra also commented on the challenging pitches seen in New York, predicting a similar scenario in the West Indies: “The pitch in New York was not suitable for T20 cricket, with batters struggling and bowlers dominating. In the West Indies, each venue offers a different challenge. The Tarouba pitch has minimal bounce, in Guyana, the ball turns a lot, and Barbados has a decent surface. Overall, the pitches are tough for batters, and high-scoring games will be rare.”
Strategic Toss Decisions
Regarding the strategic importance of the toss, Chopra suggested, “Winning the toss and opting to bat first could be advantageous, as historically, it has been a successful strategy on this ground. Afghanistan tends to struggle while chasing targets but excels at defending them, thanks to their exceptional spin bowlers.”
Despite the recent slump, cricket pundits and fans alike are hopeful that Virat Kohli will find his footing and lead India to a strong performance against Afghanistan. With insights from experts like Aakash Chopra, the anticipation for the upcoming match continues to build.
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