Aakash Chopra blames Virat Kohli's aggressive mindset for his slump in T20 World Cup 2024

Former Indian batter and cricket analyst, Aakash Chopra, has tried to solve the questions surrounding Virat Kohli’s struggles with the bat in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Kohli had a terrific IPL 2024 season as an opener, but he badly failed to replicate his form in the ongoing showpiece event.

In the four matches that he has played so far in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Kohli has scored only 29 runs after being promoted as an opener for Team India, and such a horrific performance was not expected from one of the world's best players on this global stage.

Aakash Chopra reveals reason behind Virat Kohli's poor run in ICC T20 World Cup 2024

These stats do not really suit a player of such stature, who is already the all-time leading run scorer in the history of the T20 World Cup. However, the Indian cricket team is doing a fantastic job and is in a great position to make it to the semifinals of the ongoing T20 World Cup in 2024.

The Men in Blue are just one win away from securing a place in the T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals, and they would love not to wait much, aiming to beat Bangladesh in their second Super-8 match on Saturday, June 22, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Ahead of the IND vs BAN Super-8 clash, Aakash Chopra shared the possible reasons behind Kohli's miserable run in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The commentator said that firstly, tricky pitches frustrated Kohli, and then his own expectations and challenges led to his struggles in the mega event.

He emphasized Kohli's internal drive, comparing him to cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Vivian Richards, who constantly challenged themselves for improvement and motivation. Chopra noted that Kohli had decided to play aggressive cricket, and now he doesn’t want to flip from his commitment, leading to his poor scores in the tournament.

Aakash Chopra criticizes Virat Kohli's approach amidst T20 World Cup 2024 struggles

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel: “The main reason for that is the New York pitch. Batting has been difficult on the New York pitch, and he has made up his mind that he will play in one way. It's said that Virat Kohli is challenged less from the outside."

"When you reach that stage - Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Brian Lara, Vivian Richards - you find challenges for yourself to motivate yourself, to get the best out of yourself. When you try to find your upgraded version, at times, when you commit yourself, you don't flip.”

The cricket analyst pointed out that the New York pitch demanded cautious, Test-like batting, but Kohli opted to stick to his aggressive mindset rather than adjusting to the conditions. Even the dashing right-hander’s approach was evident against Afghanistan, which was possibly affected by him. However, Chopra hopes Kohli will bounce back against Bangladesh.

Chopra signed off by saying, “Virat said he would play one way only because his game is not about conditions and technique but about the mindset. So, he has played with that mindset and the lack of runs, not lack of form maybe as you rightly spoke about the IPL form, was seen in the game against Afghanistan where it seemed like he was trying slightly to find his rhythm. Hopefully, that will be rectified tonight vs Bangladesh. We have that expectation.”