Virat Kohli not ready for IPL 2024? Saba Karim shares his views
Published - 09 Mar 2024, 02:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:27 AM
Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim opened up about Virat Kohli’s readiness for the IPL 2024, considering his limited exposure to T20s recently. Saba Karim expressed that Virat Kohli will be fully prepared to make a significant impact in the upcoming IPL season.
Virat Kohli has played only two matches in the T20 format since the last edition of the IPL. The right-handed batter missed the first T20I of the Afghanistan series in January 2024. He returned to the team for the last two games, registering scores of 29 runs and a duck.
The 35-year-old batter missed the ongoing five-match Test series against England due to the birth of his second child. The former Indian captain will next be seen in action representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise in this year’s T20 tournament.
Virat Kohli Is Always Prepared To Play Match-Winning Knocks – Saba Karim
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Saba Karim expressed confidence in Virat Kohli‘s ability to excel in the IPL 2024, citing his history of delivering in crucial situations.
“I feel he remains ready for these kinds of challenges. Many players at the international level relish this type of challenge and Virat Kohli is one of those players. I agree he hasn’t played T20 cricket for a long time but when he gets such a big platform, he is always prepared to play match-winning knocks,” Karim said.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 auction, RCB released key bowlers such as Wanindu Hasaranga, Harshal Patel, and Josh Hazlewood. The team acquired pacers Alzarri Joseph and Lockie Ferguson. The Bengaluru-based franchise didn’t have quality spin bowlers in their attack.
Virat Kohli Will Not Have Any Issues – Owais Shah
Former England batter Owais Shah believes Virat Kohli will find his rhythm once he settles into the tournament. Shah is confident that Kohli, known for thriving under pressure, will perform exceptionally well for Bangalore.
“He will not have any issues. Firstly, the tournament is quite long. The sort of experience Virat Kohli has, he knows he will come in full flow after one or two matches. Some batters like responsibility and they bat better when they are given responsibility and Virat Kohli is that sort of batter,” Shah said.
“He takes responsibility for Team India. There has been no better batter than him in chases because he thinks like that and bats well when he is given responsibility. I feel he will not have any difficulties. He is an outstanding player whether he is playing for India or Bangalore,” he added.
Kohli holds the record for the highest number of runs in a single IPL season, with 973 runs in 2016. As the all-time leading run scorer in the IPL, he has amassed 7,263 runs in 237 matches at an impressive average of 37, along with seven centuries and 50 half-centuries.
The Faf du Plessis will kick off their campaign in the IPL 2024 with a match against the defending champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on March 22.
Also read: Not Virat Kohli or Shubman Gill!! Yuzvendra Chahal predicts Orange Cap winner for IPL 2024
