"Get behind Virat Kohli" - Harsha Bhogle urges fan clubs to avoid 'angry and vicious banter' ahead of T20 World Cup final

Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle defended former Indian skipper Virat Kohli amid his struggles to score runs in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. Harsha Bhogle urged fans to show support and class while criticizing Virat Kohli for his form in the ongoing ICC T20 tournament.

Virat Kohli showcased impressive batting performances before the T20 World Cup 2024. He was the leading run-getter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The right-handed batter scored 741 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 154.70 during IPL 2024.

However, the 35-year-old batter has struggled to score runs in this year's ICC tournament. Kohli registered single-digit scores in three matches during the group stage. The ace batter achieved his highest score of 37 runs off 28 balls during the Super Eight match against Bangladesh in the marquee tournament.

The Delhi-born cricketer managed to score just nine runs off nine balls, including one six, during the semi-final match against England in Guyana on Thursday, June 27. Overall, Kohli has scored 75 runs in seven innings at a disappointing average of 10.71 and a strike rate of 100, including two ducks, in the event.

The Time To Show Your Class - Harsha Bhogle

Harsha Bhogle took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to urge fans to demonstrate maturity on social media. Bhogle emphasized the importance of supporting Virat Kohli during his challenging period. He said that Kohli might produce a match-winning performance in the final match of the World Cup.

"Sometimes there is very angry and vicious banter from fan clubs on social media. When a player is down is the time to show your class. And this is the time to get behind Virat Kohli who could well produce a match winning performance in the final. But irrespective, this is the time to rally around," Bhogle tweeted.

Sometimes there is very angry and vicious banter from fan clubs on social media. When a player is down is the time to show your class. And this is the time to get behind Virat Kohli who could well produce a match winning performance in the final. But irrespective, this is the…

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 28, 2024

It's Just A Temporary Lean Patch - Ayushmann Khurrana

Popular Indian actor Ayushmann Khurrana showed his support for Virat Kohli. Khurrana emphasized that Kohli, dismissing critics who targeted the cricketer for recent failures, stated that Kohli's current lean patch is temporary and he will deliver for India in the upcoming match.

"Dear naysayers, Kohli is a legend. He can rock at any position. It’s just a temporary lean patch. His class is permanent. Chill maadi," Khurana wrote on his official handle.

Dear naysayers, Kohli is a legend. He can rock at any position. It’s just a temporary lean patch. His class is permanent. Chill maadi. 💪🇮🇳🩵

— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) June 27, 2024

India has reached the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking their third consecutive ICC tournament final appearance. Rohit Sharma led the Men in Blue to the finals of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 and the ODI World Cup 2023. However, they lost to Australia in both final matches.

The Rohit Sharma-led team will face the Aiden Markram-led South Africa team in the summit clash at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. The Indian team will be hoping to end their decade-long ICC trophy drought by defeating South Africa in the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024.

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