Kohli’s Slow Batting Irks Irfan Pathan
The T20 World Cup final between South Africa and India was a nail-biting affair, with India losing wickets early on and struggling to build a significant total. Despite Virat Kohli’s exceptional performance with the bat, he drew criticism from a former teammate for his slow start.
Pathan’s Sharp Criticism
Irfan Pathan, a former Indian all-rounder and close friend of MS Dhoni, expressed his frustration with Kohli’s batting during the commentary for the final. Pathan stated, “The strike rate at which Virat Kohli is batting is not ideal, especially considering Hardik Pandya’s current form. It’s crucial to maintain a higher strike rate in such situations and show more aggression.”
Kohli had indeed taken 48 deliveries to reach his half-century, which prompted Pathan’s criticism. While Kohli went on to score a valiant 76 from 59 balls, anchoring India’s innings, Pathan’s comments highlight the importance of aggressive batting in modern-day T20 cricket.
Kohli’s Redemption
Despite Pathan’s criticism, Kohli had a commendable tournament overall. Having struggled for form in previous matches, he redeemed himself in the final with a vital knock. His 76-run innings, coupled with Pandya’s late surge, helped India post a competitive total of 176/7.
Team Composition
The Indian team for the final included: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
The South African team fielded: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.
Conclusion
While Pathan’s criticism of Kohli’s strike rate may have been valid, it’s essential to acknowledge the impact of Kohli’s 76 runs on India’s performance. The final outcome of the match will determine whether Pathan’s comments will be remembered as a fair assessment or an overreaction in the heat of the moment.