Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli’s ability to excel in the upcoming Champions Trophy in Dubai, urging the star batter to put his recent Test performances behind him. Kohli endured a challenging red-ball season, struggling for consistency against teams like Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia. His vulnerability to deliveries outside the off-stump was exploited by Australian pacers, leading to repeated dismissals caught behind the stumps or in the slip cordon.
However, Kaif highlighted Kohli’s extraordinary record in the 50-over format, emphasizing that his prowess in white-ball cricket remains unmatched. “Virat Kohli never accepts defeat and always stages a comeback. Don’t write him off in white-ball cricket. He has 50 ODI centuries and nearly 13,000 runs in ODIs. Forget the Test season and look forward to his contributions in the Champions Trophy,” Kaif stated on his YouTube channel.
Stellar ODI and T20I Record
Kaif pointed to Kohli’s stellar performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where the batting maestro amassed 765 runs at an astonishing average of 95.62, breaking multiple records. He also recalled Kohli’s memorable T20I century against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup 2022, where he smashed an unbeaten 122 off just 61 balls, including six towering sixes, in Dubai.
“He plays a different brand of cricket in white-ball formats. The last time he played in Dubai, he was in phenomenal form. I expect him to perform well again in the Champions Trophy,” Kaif added.
Kohli’s Key to Success
Kaif believes that if Kohli starts the tournament strongly, there will be no stopping him. “If he scores big in the opening game, he will keep scoring throughout the tournament. Virat Kohli is an uncrowned king of white-ball cricket. His era in this format is far from over,” Kaif confidently remarked.
Kohli Set for Ranji Trophy Return
In a bid to further sharpen his form, Kohli is set to play his first Ranji Trophy match in over a decade. He has confirmed his availability for Delhi’s final league match against Railways, scheduled to begin on January 30. However, Kohli will miss Delhi’s clash against Saurashtra on January 23 due to a neck sprain.
The Champions Trophy presents a new opportunity for Kohli to once again prove why he is regarded as one of the greatest in white-ball cricket, with fans and experts alike eagerly awaiting his performance.
