Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble and ex-Australian all-rounder Shane Watson have heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his exceptional performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. They expressed confidence in his ability to maintain his prime form during the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Kohli’s scintillating knock of 92 off 47 balls, coupled with a collective bowling effort, propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a resounding 60-run victory over Punjab Kings. Kumble commended Kohli’s relentless pursuit of excellence, highlighting his remarkable contribution of 634 runs in the tournament.
“He’s been in outstanding form. He had a break coming into this IPL, and since then, he’s been relentless in his pursuit of excellence,” Kumble remarked. He emphasized the importance of Kohli’s performance in the T20 World Cup, saying, “For India’s sake, you’d want his form to continue in the World Cup as well.”
Watson lauded Kohli’s all-round impact and his ability to elevate the performance of his teammates. He acknowledged the significance of the opportunities presented to Kohli early on, allowing him to capitalize and showcase his batting prowess effectively.
“They got some opportunities early as Virat Kohli was dropped twice. This allowed him to get going in his innings and he batted so beautifully once he capitalized on those chances,” Watson remarked.
Furthermore, Watson highlighted Kohli’s contribution in the field, particularly his electrifying run-out to dismiss Shahshank Singh. “In the field, they made a couple of little errors, but you could see the intensity crank up in the field when they needed it to. Some great catches and a great run-out from Virat Kohli to get Shashank out,” Watson concluded.
Kohli’s exceptional performances have not only boosted RCB’s chances of success but have also raised expectations for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. His ability to maintain his prime form and lead his team to victory will be crucial for India’s hopes of lifting the coveted trophy.
