"He has made up his mind that he will play in one way" - Aakash Chopra on why Virat Kohli isn't scoring runs in 2024 T20 World Cup
Aakash Chopra reckons Virat Kohli's over-aggressive approach is responsible for his underwhelming numbers in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The former India captain has aggregated 29 runs at a dismal average of 7.25 in four innings in the tournament.
India will face Bangladesh in their second Super 8 game in North Sound, Antigua on Saturday, June 22. The Men in Blue will hope that Kohli is back to his best and plays a substantial knock.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked about the reason behind Kohli's lack of runs, considering that he was in excellent form in IPL 2024.
"The main reason for that is the New York pitch. Batting has been difficult on the New York pitch, and he has made up his mind that he will play in one way. It's said that Virat Kohli is challenged less from outside," he responded (1:00).
The former India opener noted that greats like Kohli tend to look for new challenges and don't alter their approach even if they fail a few times.
"When you reach that stage - Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Brian Lara, Vivian Richards - you find challenges for yourself to motivate yourself, to get the best out of yourself. When you try to find your upgraded version, at times, when you make a commitment to yourself, you don't flip," Chopra observed.
Kohli aggregated a paltry five runs in three innings in New York. He scored one and four against Ireland and Pakistan respectively, and was dismissed for a golden duck against the United States of America.
"The New York pitch was demanding and dictating that you should give yourself time" - Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli sticking to his approach
Aakash Chopra opined that Virat Kohli should have batted more conservatively in the seamer-friendly conditions in New York.
"The New York pitch was demanding and dictating that you should give yourself time, play cautiously, and do almost Test-like batting because even 120 runs were not being scored. However, he didn't think like that at all. He said he would play one way only because his game is not about conditions and technique but about the mindset," he said (1:35).
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that the lack of run-scoring rhythm was evident in his slight struggles against Afghanistan.
"So he has played with that mindset and the lack of runs, not lack of form maybe as you rightly spoke about the IPL form, was seen in the game against Afghanistan where it seemed like he was trying slightly to find his rhythm. Hopefully, that will be rectified tonight vs Bangladesh. We have that expectation," Chopra stated.
Kohli scored a run-a-ball 24 against Afghanistan. He was caught at long-off while attempting a big hit off Rashid Khan's bowling.