"You'll see the real Virat Kohli now"- Former Indian legend warns Rashid Khan and co

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has opened up about the struggles of Virat Kohli as an opener in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, as the Indian cricket team is all set to face Afghanistan in their first Super-8 clash in Barbados on June 20.

The challenging surface of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York didn’t allow Kohli to replicate his stunning IPL 2024 performance in the USA leg of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

Kohli's campaign began with a score of 1 against Ireland, followed by consecutive single-digit scores of 4 against Pakistan and a duck against the USA in the Group A matches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Irfan Pathan backs Virat Kohli to shine on Caribbean soil after New York woes in ICC T20 World Cup 2024

In his new role as an opener, the dashing right-hander has struggled, losing his wicket early in an attempt to capitalize on the powerplay, like when he went berserk at the bowlers in the IPL 2024.

Despite his lackluster performance in the group stage, Kohli's place in Team India’s playing XI remains unquestionable due to his legendary stature in the team going forward in the mega ICC event.

Well, Pathan expressed confidence in Kohli's potential to bounce back in the crucial phase of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, while highlighting his specialty of delivering in critical situations and high-pressure games.

Pathan believes that Kohli will make a strong comeback in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, saying the batting maestro is a special player and the world knows how dangerous he is in big and crucial matches.

Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports: “He knows how to stand up in big matches, isn't it? That's what makes him really, really special. He's a special player and I'm sure he's going to put his hand up and say OK, I'm going to do this for Team India and when the time comes, especially the big matches, we always have seen from Virat Kohli that he performs.”

Just wait and watch: Irfan Pathan's fiery warning to opponents over Virat Kohli

The commentator admitted that the pitch in New York hindered Kohli's ability to play his shots freely, and it led to his struggles in the first round of the tournament. However, Pathan believes that the conditions on Caribbean soil will be more favorable for the former Indian skipper.

Sending a warning to the opposition, Pathan predicted that Kohli would utilize his full range of shots, including the slog sweep in the Super-8 leg of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean Islands. The former Indian all-rounder also said that the world will yet again see the true color of Kohli in the Super 8s of the tournament.

Pathan signed off by saying, “Just wait and watch, the slog sweep will come out now. He will definitely use those shots because, look, those conditions in New York. But now things will be different and you'll see a real Virat Kohli coming to the fore.”

Notably, India will face Afghanistan on June 20 at Kensington Oval in Barbados, followed by Bangladesh on June 22 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, and Australia on June 24 at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia, in their Super-8 matches at the T20 World Cup 2024.