Virat Kohli, who entered into the T20 World Cup 2024 on the back of a fantastic IPL season, has failed to make a mark in the competition so far. The right-hander has amassed five runs from three innings against Ireland, Pakistan and USA while opening the batting.
Despite the string of single-digit scores, India batting coach Vikram Rathour is not concerned about Kohli’s form and is confident that the star batter will come good for the team very soon.
After India’s last group-stage match against Canada was called off due to wet outfield, Rathour emphasized that Kohli has been batting well in practice sessions and is more motivated than ever as the Super 8 approaches.
"I love it when every time I come there is a question about Virat Kohli, whether he is doing well or not. No concern at all, no concern at all," Rathour told reporters.
"He (Kohli) has been batting superbly from the tournament that he came from (IPL). Couple of dismissals here, doesn't change anything, he is batting really well."
The batting coach also backed India's top batter to deliver for the team in crunch games.
"Actually, it's good that he is a little hungrier, he is really keen to do well and really switched on. It's a good space to be as a batsman, I think.
"Looking forward to some good games and we've watched some good innings from him."
Vikram Rathour also explained the team's strategy of playing four all-rounders, including Shivam Dube and Akshar Patel.
“Again, we need to be a flexible team. We need to look at the conditions that are in front of us and be ready to deal with those. So as a team, we are going to be really flexible, I think.
"We'll react to what (conditions) we get on the day. We have enough sources in our team to deal with any kind of conditions," he remarked.
India’s match against Canada in Florida was abandoned even without the toss taking place. Rathour acknowledged that some game time ahead of the Super 8s would have been beneficial.
"But if the game had happened that would have really helped us. We were really looking forward to playing a game, to play a good game of cricket. There's always a concern when you play a game in conditions like this that some injury can happen.
"You're already in Super 8 and that's the last thing (injury) you want to happen before you enter the serious part of the tournament."
Rathour said the tight schedule of Super 8, with little time between games, is not ideal but manageable.
"Again, not ideal. It would have been great if we could have gotten a game today. But now this is what it is. So, we look forward to having a couple of good practice days in Barbados and getting into the game. So again, now the matches will happen simultaneously after one day.
"So, as a team I think we are ready. We are used to this kind of schedule. We have done it in the past and I am sure we will do it really well this time as well."
The Indian batting coach also raised concerns to the ICC as the ground in Florida was not fully covered.
"This question should be asked to the ICC people. I won't be able to answer that. I don't know the reason why it was not covered and why it didn't have enough covers to cover the whole ground.
"If they would have covered it, definitely that would have helped. But now it's not there and this is what we've got."
Regarding the challenging two-paced wickets in New York, Rathour downplayed its impact on the team's performance.
"It's good. You should be able to play on all types of wickets. We have the skills to play in all types of conditions and do well. So, we have got the difficult wickets. Hopefully, we will get good wickets in the tournament.
"And if we get turning wickets, we have 4 spin options, we have enough fast bowlers as well. So, whichever conditions come, I think we are really equipped to deal with that," he remarked.
(With TOI Inputs)
