Virat Kohli has been with the Indian team for a very long time. He is with the team through thick and thin. He was with the team in the 2011 World Cup and was part of memorable moments. Years passed after that, and some players retired; new players made their debut. Sometimes India was unstoppable on other occasions, they struggled. But one thing was constant, and it was their inability to win the World Cup. Fast Forward to the present, and Kohli has returned to Team India after struggling with his form last year. Can the return of Virat Kohli help the men in blue bag another world cup?
Kohli’s Return
Until September last year, the Indian star was struggling. He had been waiting for his 71st century for a very long time and was unable to get it. His form was questionable, and to make matters worse, he was having disputes with BCCI management. During the Asia Cup, he got his long-awaited 71 century against Afghanistan in a dead rubber game. After this, Dark clouds started fading away.
His performance started improving. He had a great T20 World Cup, especially the knock against Pakistan. His disputes with the BCCI were automatically resolved as there were massive changes in management after India’s semi-final defeat. The only thing that didn’t return to normal was his captaincy, but it didn’t really matter. This year Rohit Sharma’s team began their home season against Sri Lanka, and it was the perfect chance for Virat to show the world what he is capable of, and he did it. He played a knock of 113 of 187 balls, and then in the final, he was exceptional with the bat again, scoring 166 of 110 balls. As icing on the cake, he won the Man of the Series award. During the Australia series, he managed to score 54 and 31 in two matches.
Why is this world cup crucial?
You might be wondering why winning this world cup is so important for the former Indian skipper, and you will get the answer in the next few paragraphs.
World Cup on home soil
Winning a world cup on your home soil in front of your people is every cricketer’s dream. It’s a known mega event taking place in Virat’s home country, and it’s perfect and might be the only opportunity for him to make his dream come true.
He is in Sachin’s shoes
Kohli is in a similar situation as Sachin Tendulkar was in the 2011 World Cup. He is on his way to registering his name among the legends of this sport. His career is currently in its last stage. He is playing at home. Virender Shewag, during an ICC event, highlighted this resemblance and said that in 2011, the team won the World Cup for Sachin, and this time they should do the same for Kohli. This will end his career on a high note.
Possibly The Last World Cup
This might be the last time you will witness the former Indian captain in a World Cup. It’s hard to accept this fact, but it is, as Kohli will turn 35 during the mega event and he will be 39 in the next four years. Some people may argue that age is just a number, but performance is also a factor. Will the 35-year-old maintain this form until the next 50-over world cup? And lastly, there are many other players waiting in line, and it is possible Kohli will leave the place for them. So it increases the necessity of winning the World Cup.
What will Kohli Bring to the table?
It’s time to discuss what the benefits are for Team India after the return of Virat Kohli and what he will bring to the table. Kohli is one of the great batters of the current era, and his contribution with the bat will be obvious. Another thing is leadership. Though Rohit Sharma will be leading the men in blue, Kohli will also be seen in a leadership role along with his skipper, especially when dealing with youngsters and calming them down during pressure situations.
The other important aspect is energy. It sounds silly, but it’s true that Virat brings energy to the field. When a wicket falls, he is the most excited person, even more so than the bowler. This positive energy keeps the team going.
One of his notable qualities is that he can handle pressure situations very well and turn a losing match into a victory. He illustrated this during the high-voltage Pakistan vs. India game in the T20 World Cup last year.
Can He Win the World Cup?
The short answer to this question is yes, as both Team India and Virat himself are in great form. They have the kind of players they need. energetic youngsters like Shubman Gill and Muhammad Siraj. Also experienced players such as Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kohli himself. Another factor is that they are playing on home ground in front of their home crowd. If everything goes well, Kohli can win the world cup.
In the end, it is important to acknowledge that a single person, no matter how good a player he or she is, cannot win the World Cup without contributions from other team members. Virat Kohli’s return and good form are definitely a good sign for India. But other players have to keep in mind that Virat alone cannot achieve the goal of a World Cup victory, and they also have to play their part as well.
