- Sourav Ganguly backs Virat Kohli as an opener despite poor form.
- Kohli has struggled with only 75 runs in seven innings.
- Ganguly emphasizes Kohli’s importance and advises against counting him out for the final.
Sourav Ganguly, former India captain, has voiced his support for star batter Virat Kohli to continue as an opener despite his recent struggles in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. As India prepares to face South Africa in the final, Ganguly’s confidence in Kohli remains steadfast.
Kohli has not been at his best in the current tournament, managing to reach double digits only once in seven innings. His performance as an opener has been disappointing, with just 75 runs at an average of 10.7. Many cricket experts have suggested that Kohli should return to his regular number three position, where he has historically excelled.
Despite the calls for change, Ganguly believes in sticking with Kohli as the opener. He highlighted Kohli’s recent success and resilience, urging fans and critics not to count him out for the crucial final match.
“Virat should open. He just had a World Cup of 700 runs seven months ago. He is human. Sometimes he will also fail, and you have to accept it. People like Kohli, Tendulkar, Dravid, they are institutions for Indian cricket. Three to four matches don’t make them weaker players. Don’t rule him out in the final tomorrow,” Ganguly said on Friday.
Ganguly also praised Kohli as a once-in-a-generation talent, while expressing satisfaction with the performance of Shivam Dube, who has been noted for his ability to hit big sixes against spinners.
“Virat is a once-in-a-generation batsman. Dube is in the team because he hits big sixes to spin. He has a role to hit spinners, and he has done very well,” Ganguly added.
India and South Africa, both unbeaten in the tournament, are set to clash in the T20 World Cup 2024 final at Kensington Oval, Barbados on June 29. South Africa has won all eight of their matches, while India won seven, with one of their group-stage fixtures against Canada being abandoned without a ball bowled.
