Indian Coach ‘Not Happy’ with Virat Kohli’s Poor Form in T20 World Cup 2024

The Indian cricket team’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, believes that Virat Kohli’s poor form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 is allowing young players to step up and win matches for India.

Virat Kohli, who managed only five runs during the group stage matches of the T20 World Cup 2024, failed to make a significant impact with the bat in the opening match of the Super 8s against Afghanistan.

Virat Kohli struggled against Afghanistan’s bowling attack before finally departing after scoring 24 runs from as many balls. This was his first double-digit score in the ongoing tournament.

Here’s what Vikram Rathour said in the media conference:

“I’m not happy. I would love it if he gets going and scores more runs,” Rathour said when asked about the team’s unbeaten run in the event without Kohli’s contribution.

Rathour further highlighted the middle order, which has been coming in clutch and winning games for India as their top order has not fired with the bat so far.

“But yeah, it is good when you are challenged at times. You know, the guys who are not getting too much of batting in India sometimes, they are the ones who put up scores today and our middle-order came to play. So, it was good to see,” he added.

Notably, it was Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya who steadied India’s batting lineup after the top-order collapse against Afghanistan. SKY also scored a magnificent half-century – his second in the tournament.

Team India will face Bangladesh in Antigua on Saturday. It will be a must-win game for the Bangla Tigers, who lost their opening Super Eight match to Australia. However, a victory for India will likely secure their place in the semifinals.