T20 World Cup 2024: Dravid Anticipates 'Big One' From Kohli In Final

Head coach Rahul Dravid echoed skipper Rohit Sharma's sentiment, predicting "there is a big one coming up" from Virat Kohli. This comes after Kohli's continued efforts in India's impressive win over England in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final in Providence, Guyana.

Despite his recent struggles, Kohli entered the T20 World Cup 2024 following a stellar IPL 2024 season. He won the Orange Cap by scoring 741 runs, including one century and five fifties, at a strike rate of 154.69 across 15 innings.

However, Kohli has not been able to replicate his IPL form in the T20 World Cup. So far, he has accumulated just 75 runs in seven innings, with two ducks and a strike rate of 100. His highest score in the tournament has been only 37.

Kohli's performance against England was particularly disappointing. Batting first, he managed just nine runs off nine balls before being bowled by Reece Topley in the third over at the Guyana National Stadium on Thursday (June 27).

Rohit Sharma addressed concerns about Kohli's form by reminding everyone that "class is permanent and form is temporary." He emphasised that any player can experience such phases and highlighted Kohli's quality as a player.

"Virat is a quality player," Rohit said. "Any player can go through that phase. We understand his class. When you have played for 15 years, form is never a problem. He's probably saving it for the final."

Dravid's Perspective on Kohli

Dravid also praised Kohli's intent and attitude despite his recent struggles. He used an example of a six Kohli hit to set the tempo during their match against England to illustrate his point.

"You know with Virat, the thing is, when you play a slightly high-risk brand of cricket there can be times when it doesn't come off," Dravid told Star Sports after India's 68-run win over England.

"Even today, I thought he hit a really good six to set the tempo but he was just unlucky that the ball seamed a little bit more. But I love the intent, I love the way he went about doing it. It sets a good example for the group as well if he's willing to do it."

Looking Ahead to the Final

India will face South Africa in the title clash on Saturday (June 29) at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The conditions there have been favourable for batters and run-scoring, raising hopes for a strong performance from Kohli.

Dravid further expressed his belief that something significant is on its way from Kohli in the final match. "And you know, for some reason, I don't want to jinx it but I think there's a big one coming up. I'm just loving his attitude and that he's committing himself on the field - I think he deserves it," Dravid added.

The team remains optimistic about Kohli delivering an impactful performance when it matters most. They believe his dedication and experience will shine through in crucial moments.