The ongoing lean patch of Virat Kohli persisted in the T20 World Cup 2024 as the former Indian captain was dismissed for just nine runs against England in the crucial semi-final match held in Guyana on Thursday, June 27. Kohli’s brief stay at the crease ended in the third over, highlighting his recent difficulties. The star batsman was bowled out by Reece Topley, who delivered a length ball that struck the top of the leg stump as Kohli attempted an aggressive shot down the track.
Despite hitting a six off a fuller-length delivery from Topley in the same over, Kohli’s attempt to replicate the big shot led to his downfall within the powerplay. This dismissal marked the first time Kohli failed to score a fifty in a T20 World Cup semi-final, a stark contrast to his previous performances where he scored 72 not out against South Africa in 2014, 85 not out against the West Indies in 2016, and 50 against England in 2022.
Kohli’s form in the T20 World Cup 2024 has been far from his best, managing only 74 runs in seven matches with just two scores above ten. Taking on the responsibility of opening the batting in this major tournament for the first time, Virat Kohli has struggled to strike the right balance between aggression and solidity. On a pitch in Guyana that offered some assistance to bowlers in the first six overs, Kohli appeared uncomfortable and was eventually undone by Topley.
This shift to an aggressive role at the top of the order has not yielded the desired results for Kohli, who is traditionally known for his consistent accumulation of runs. Fans expressed disappointment at the star batter’s performance in the high-stakes match at Providence Stadium, and questions are being raised about Kohli’s form, especially considering this could be his last T20 World Cup campaign for India.
This hurts more than heartbreak 💔 #ViratKohli #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/3Ocgk4cHcV
— Lokesh Saini🚩 (@LokeshVirat18K) June 27, 2024
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#INDvsENG2024
Virat Kohli 😭 pic.twitter.com/ni5IziOafp— Dr Gill (@ikpsgill1) June 27, 2024
Virat Kohli out early in knockout too. This is not our Kohli. pic.twitter.com/3KTTV0aoKr
— Pakchikpak Raja Babu (@HaramiParindey) June 27, 2024
In the semi-final clash, India faced further setbacks as Rishabh Pant was dismissed for four runs, leaving the team struggling with two wickets down in the powerplay. However, Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma provided some stability with a solid partnership before rain interrupted play at the end of the eighth over. The match remains tense as India looks to overcome these early challenges and secure a spot in the final.