Leg and off: Should India be worried about Virat Kohli's form at T20 World Cup 2024?
Team India's senior batter Virat Kohli holds the record for having scored the most runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. In 28 innings, he has smashed 1,146 runs at an average of 67.41 and a strike rate of 130.52, with as many as 14 half-centuries and a best of 89*.
Given the sensational numbers he has produced in the ICC event, there were high hopes from the former India captain heading into the latest edition of the T20 World Cup. However, it has been a complete anti-climax as Kohli has struggled for runs in the tournament. While the Men in Blue have qualified for the Super 8 round of the competition, the star batter has managed only five runs in three innings.
Kohli was dismissed for one against Ireland, four against Pakistan before bagging a golden duck against United States. While the Men in Blue would have loved more runs from the former skipper's blade, is his poor run a cause of worry yet?
Too early to be concerned about Virat Kohli's form
To any query on whether Kohli's poor form in the 2024 T20 World Cup is a concern for Team India, the straightforward answer should be an emphatic 'No'. Three innings are way too few to judge the form of any player, leave alone Kohli. Ironic as it may sound, the 35-year-old hasn't played enough deliveries in the tournament for a judgment to be passed on his batting form!
Also, there are many other factors at play that need to be considered with regard to the ongoing World Cup in the United States and the West Indies. Team India have played all their group matches so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, a venue which has been exceedingly challenging for batters across teams, especially those batting at the top.
While Kohli has struggled in the three matches that India have played so far, skipper Rohit Sharma has also looked out of sorts, even though he did manage a half-century against Ireland in India's opening game. Batters have had their task cut out in all the matches that have been played in New York. In fact, India's chase of 111 against United States on Wednesday, June 12, is the highest at the venue.
Of course, being a world-class batter, Kohli is someone who thrives on overcoming challenging conditions. As such, he will be most disappointed with his scores in the tournament so far.
At the same time, the star cricketer will not be too concerned over his lack of runs. He has proved many times in the past that class is permanent. This is just one of those lackluster phases in his batting that Kohli will be pretty confident of overcoming.
Should Virat Kohli move down to No. 3?
Given his poor form at the top of the order, a debate has risen as to whether Kohli must move down to the No. 3 position so that Yashasvi Jaiswal can open with skipper Rohit. With all due credit to Jaiswal, though, his inclusion will affect the balance of the playing XI.
To bring in Jaiswal, India will have to drop one of the all-rounders in the middle-order. With Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel doing a commendable job, the axe could fall on Shivam Dube. However, Dube found some form in the game against the US and dropping him might not be a smart move. It is no secret how dangerous the left-hander can be if he gets into his groove.
A number of experts have also backed Kohli to come good as opener despite his underwhelming start to the 2024 T20 World Cup campaign. According to Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar, there is not much to worry about the right-hander, even though he has failed to deliver so far.
Speaking to Star Sports, he asserted:
"The biggest motivation for any players is to win matches, especially when you are playing for your country. He has done so well for India over the years and won so many games. I think he recognizes that. We are in the early phases of the tournament. There's Super 8s, semi-finals, and hopefully the final. All he needs to do is show patience and faith in himself, which i think he has plenty."
In what could be a blessing in disguise for Kohli and many other batters, no other match in the ongoing World Cup will be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The Men in Blue's next group game will be against Canada at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida, on Saturday, June 15.
Shot selection is one area where Virat Kohli can definitely improve
While there are not many concerns over Kohli's form in the 2024 T20 World Cup, shot selection is definitely one area where he can improve. The prolific batter is renowned for his choice of strokes, but in this tournament he hasn't been that prudent, which only goes to prove that he is human.
It is still not too late, though. The business end of the World Cup is just about to start and that is where India will need Kohli to be in supreme form.
Given the nature of the pitches on offer, the seasoned India batter will do well to rethink his shot selection and show greater patience. It goes without saying that Kohli would already have begun working on how to ways to conquer this fresh challenge.