Nasser Hussain Praises Virat Kohli’s Big-Match Temperament Despite T20 WC Struggles

Former England cricketer Nasser Hussain has lavished praise on Indian star batter Virat Kohli, emphasizing his ability to perform in crucial matches. Despite Kohli’s disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, where he managed just 75 runs at an average of 10.71, Hussain believes Kohli’s track record in high-stakes games speaks for itself.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Hussain highlighted Kohli’s memorable performance against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the T20 World Cup 2022. “I mean you go back to the game against Pakistan at the MCG, India were floundering. Who was there at the end? Smashing. That’s the biggest game of all time for the Indians. India, Pakistan, you know. So he is always there in big matches,” said Hussain.

Hussain further asserted that doubting Kohli in crucial matches is a mistake. He also noted that Kohli’s struggles in the current tournament might be due to the pitch conditions in New York. “I personally and others will disagree because you want to set the tone throughout the team. I personally think Virat Kohli should bat like he’s batted over the last decade. He’s got a strike rate of 138. He can be the glue, the rot, you know, they all bat around, and they all come in playing their shots. You cannot doubt Kohli as a player. You cannot doubt him in a big match. He has suffered because of that New York pitch because he had a brilliant IPL,” Hussain added.

India is set to face South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team has dominated the tournament, defeating strong sides like Australia, Pakistan, and England. In contrast, South Africa has had a more challenging journey, narrowly escaping defeats against Bangladesh, Nepal, and the West Indies.