"As the tournament will get to its business end, he will show his true colors" - Wasim Jaffer warns against writing off Virat Kohli in T20 World Cup
Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer believes Virat Kohli will peak at the right time and will turn up on the big days for the Men in Blue in their T20 World Cup campaign. Kohli hasn't quite got going in the group stage so far with a total of just five runs from three innings.
Jaffer had predicted Kohli as the highest run-scorer in the T20 World Cup 2024 and is sticking to his prediction despite scores of 1, 4 & 0 so far from the veteran batter.
Speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, here's what Wasim Jaffer had to say about Virat Kohli's form:
"Rohit and Virat have been playing on the tough New York pitch so they aren't quite among the top run-scorers. But do not write off Virat Kohli. As the tournament will get to its business end, he will show his true colors and he will show his greatness. I had picked Virat Kohli as the highest run-scorer and I will stick to him."
Jaffer also believes that the pitch in New York has been too difficult for the batters as the bowlers have got a lot of help. Virat Kohli had shown a lot more intent in IPL 2024 and reaped the rewards for the same with a staggering 741 runs and the Orange Cap.
The former cricketer wants Kohli to continue playing with the same intent as the pitches in the West Indies could be better for batting.
Wasim Jaffer backs Virat Kohli to continue to open
Wasim Jaffer doesn't want the Indian team management to go back to having Virat Kohli at No. 3. He feels the think tank have got the idea of Rishabh Pant at No. 3 spot on and doesn't see a situation possible where they have a top three of Yashasvi jaiswal, Rohit Sharma and Kohli.
On this, he stated:
"I don't think Virat Kohli should bat at No. 3. He should continue to open because now you have got Rishabh Pant at No. 3 and now it has been working out really well. You ideally want a left-hand right-hand opening combination and while you have Jaiswal, that doesn't seem possible."
India will hope that Kohli comes back to form as soon as possible as he would be vital in the tricky conditions in the West Indies.