“Cannot Write Off a Player Like Virat Kohli”: Chris Gayle Backs India Star Ahead of T20 WC Final

Former West Indies opener and captain Chris Gayle has expressed confidence in Virat Kohli’s ability to overcome his current struggles in the T20 World Cup, emphasizing that Kohli’s talent and experience make him a player who cannot be discounted. Despite Kohli’s challenging run in the tournament, Gayle, who played alongside Kohli for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), believes in Kohli’s potential to shine in the final against South Africa.

Reflecting on Kohli’s form, Gayle acknowledged the ups and downs that even top players like Kohli experience, citing his previous dominant performances in World Cups. Gayle highlighted that while every player faces rough patches, being in the final presents an opportunity for Kohli to showcase his match-winning capabilities once again.

Kohli’s recent struggles in the T20 World Cup stand in stark contrast to his outstanding performance in IPL 2024, where he topped the batting charts with 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a remarkable strike rate. However, in the ongoing World Cup, Kohli has managed only 75 runs in seven matches at an average of 10.71, raising concerns about his current form.

India is scheduled to face South Africa in the T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval on Saturday. Contingency plans are in place for a reserve day in case rain disrupts the scheduled match.