ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma stands by Virat Kohli ahead of crucial semi-final against England
Xtra Time Web Desk: As India gears up for their high-stakes semi-final against England in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Captain Rohit Sharma has come to the defense of his under-fire teammate, Virat Kohli. Despite Kohli's recent struggles in the tournament, Sharma's unwavering support underscores the unity and resilience within the Indian cricket team.
Virat Kohli, one of India's most celebrated cricketers, has faced intense scrutiny following a series of underwhelming performances. His recent struggles were highlighted by a five-ball duck against Australia and his first-ever golden duck in a match against the USA. With only 66 runs in six innings, averaging 11.00 and a strike rate of 100, Kohli has found it challenging to make a significant impact. His highest score, a modest 37 off 28 balls, came against Bangladesh, and he has failed to register a double-digit score during the group stage of the tournament, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies.
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Despite these setbacks, Rohit Sharma remains steadfast in his support for Kohli. Addressing the press ahead of the semi-final, Sharma emphasized the importance of understanding and adapting to conditions. "It all depends on the conditions that are there in front of us. In New York, we saw what the winning score was, so to think we will go and smash is not sensible. We want to be a smart cricket team. We don't want to just talk in one language, which is to just go and swing the bat," Sharma explained.
Sharma highlighted the need for the team to make smart decisions based on the conditions. "It is important for us to understand the conditions and what we need to do at that time. We rely on the experience from each player to make those decisions, whether it's playing a reverse sweep, bowling a yorker, or a bouncer. We rely on those individuals to make that decision."
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The Indian skipper also shared insights into his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the autonomy he grants his players. "As a captain or coach, once the game has started, there is hardly you need to talk about what you need to do. Yes, certain aspects of the game, you can discuss but not a whole lot. We got to back them."
As India prepares for their semi-final clash against England, Sharma's vote of confidence in Kohli is a testament to the trust and camaraderie within the team. Fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if Kohli can turn his fortunes around and deliver a match-winning performance when it matters most in the knockout stage.
