“The knowledge of the lion being there scares you” – Aakash Chopra on Virat Kohli’s ideal role in the 2024 T20 World Cup

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra feels Virat Kohli will be a pivotal cog in India’s T20 World Cup campaign. The renowned commentator reckons Kohli is at his best when he spends time at the crease. Kohli has all the experience under his belt and he would want to deliver the goods for the national team.

The talisman made his T20I comeback in the second game against Afghanistan at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on Sunday. Kohli scored a quickfire knock of 29 runs off just 16 balls in the run-chase of 173 runs and added 57 runs with Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli finished the ODI World Cup 2023 as the highest run-getter with 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62 and a strike rate of 90.32. Ergo, he was awarded Player of the Tournament for his consistent performances.

Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Kohli has all types of gears. He can play fast or slow. He can play at a run-a-ball as well. Kohli is at his best when he stays for a long time. You feel scared going into a jungle because a lion is there.”

The former India opener added: “It’s not mandatory that the lion will eat you whenever you enter a jungle but the knowledge of the lion being there scares you. Virat Kohli is that lion. You (opposing teams) are always scared when Virat Kohli is at the crease.”

The reputed commentator added that Kohli is at his best when he stays at the crease and accelerates later in his innings.

“The lion needs to be there on the pitch, especially on those pitches where totals will be between 160 and 180. 220 won’t be scored there. So you expect Virat Kohli to stand there and accelerate later.”

Chopra recalled Kohli’s masterclass knock in the T20 World Cup 2022 against arch-rivals Pakistan when he played one of the best T20I innings ever.

“The knock which was called the innings of the century, the Pakistan one, there also you will find that he was going at slightly higher than a run-a-ball. He accelerated in the end and won India the game. If Virat goes ultra-aggressive, consistency could be a casualty, and that’s not what you want.”

The third and last T20I of the series between India and Afghanistan will be played at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.