"He stood like the rock of Gibraltar in the sea of ruins" - Navjot Singh Sidhu hails Virat Kohli's knock in the T20 World Cup final
Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu praised star batter Virat Kohli for his sensational knock in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. Kohli scored 76 runs off 59 balls and won the Player of the Match award as India beat South Africa by seven runs to lift their second T20 World Cup crown.
The Men in Blue were in a precarious situation at 34/3 after opting to bat first. However, Sidhu shed light on how Kohli stood firm at one end and consolidated before teeing off towards the backend of his innings.
Navjot Singh Sidhu said about Virat Kohli on Star Sports:
"When it mattered the most, when 1.5 billion Indians were praying for victory and hoping that we don't choke at the final hurdle, he stood like the rock of Gibraltar in the sea of ruins. He kept one end intact and delivered the World Cup crown by performing when India's ship was stuck."
Kohli's knock and crucial cameos from Axar Patel (47 off 31) and Shivam Dube (27 off 16) helped India post a competitive total of 176/7 in their 20 overs. South Africa seemed to be coasting home at one stage with 30 runs needed off the last five overs. However, the Indian bowlers applied the squeeze as the Proteas wilted under pressure.
Navjot Singh Sidhu on Virat Kohli's approach in the T20 World Cup
Coming into the final, Virat Kohli had scored just 75 runs in seven innings of the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Sidhu highlighted how the star batter always had an ultra-aggressive approach.
"In this tournament, even when he scored 38 and 24, he didn't let the run rate drop. There was a different kind of Virat. Virat Kohli, a man of adversity, a man of masses, a master performer, a genius. For me, he will always be remembered as an icon, as the greatest inspiration, and above all, a cup of joy for billions and billions who watch cricket all over," he said in the same interaction.
Sidhu concluded by hailing Kohli as the greatest role model India had produced. The former skipper announced after the final that he would no longer feature in T20Is for India.