whatsapp
For the best experience, open
https://m.news24online.com
on your mobile browser.
IndiaWorldWeb Stories Sports โ–พAutoEntertainment More โ–พ
home / Sports

'Virat Kohli Shouldn't Have Been Given Man Of The Match' Former Indian Player's Big Statement

Ex-Cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes Virat Kohli slowed down the run rate and could have put India in a difficult position.
08:15 PM Jul 02, 2024 IST | Shashwat Nishant
virat kohli shouldn t have been given man of the match former indian player s big statement
Virat Kohli
A solid 59-ball 76 from star batter Virat Kohli helped India reach a competitive 176 for 7 in the high-pressure T20 World Cup final in Barbados last week. After India chose to bat, the South African bowlers performed well early on, reducing Rohit Sharma's team to three wickets down within the powerplay. However, Kohli remained steadfast at the crease, playing the anchor role perfectly. Playing an important knock for his side also got him the man of the match award in the final which according to former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, wasn't well-deserved.

Sanjay Manjrekar Feels Bowlers Saved Virat Kohli

Kohli first stabilized India's innings with a 72-run partnership with Axar Patel and then pushed the score forward in the second half with support from Shivam Dube and others, ultimately achieving a strong total.

However, former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes Kohli's innings was too slow and could have put India in a difficult position. Reigniting the debate about Kohli's strike rate that troubled him during the IPL, Manjrekar said Kohli's conservative approach didn't give Hardik Pandya enough time in the middle.

"By playing that innings, Hardik Pandya, one of their most devastating batters, had just two balls to face. So I thought India's batting was good, but Virat Kohli had potentially played an innings that would've put India in a tight corner. And it almost proved to be that, before these guys' bowlers came in the end," Manjrekar told ESPNCricinfo.

"India were in a losing position, 90 percent winning chances (for South Africa). The complete turnaround actually saved Virat Kohli's innings because he played virtually half the innings with a strike-rate of 128. My Player of the Match would've been a bowler because they actually took the game from the jaws of defeat and won it for India," he added.

As Rohit and Co. won the thrilling finale by 7 runs, India ended an over-a-decade long ICC title drought.
The 2024 T20 World Cup title is now India's second in the format. In the inaugural 2007 edition, India won the title under the leadership of legendary MS Dhoni.

Also Read: Pakistan Opener Mohd Rizwan Opens Up After Disappointing T20 World Cup Campaign

Tags :
tlbr_img1 World tlbr_img2 Trending tlbr_img3 Entertainment tlbr_img4 Video