'Cannot Write Off A Player Like Him': Chris Gayle Backs Virat Kohli Ahead Of IND vs SA T20 World Cup Final

India might have reached the finals of the T20 World Cup 2024, but former captain Virat Kohli is still having a tough time in the tournament. So far, the Indian batter has managed to score only 75 runs in seven innings at an average of 10.71.

Despite the low strike rate and poor performance, Kohli has the support of former West Indies opener and captain Chris Gayle. During a press conference, Gayle spoke to the media and said a player of Virat Kohli’s calibre cannot be “written off.”

“These things happen to superstars or world-class players such as Virat. We know how dominant he has been in previous World Cups. A bat patch can happen to anybody. But the good thing about it. He is in the final, and sometimes big players can be called upon to step up and win the actual game for the team as well. So you cannot write off a player like Virat Kohli without a doubt. We know how special he is, so we just have to wait and see what he delivers tomorrow,” Gayle, who also played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru alongside Kohli, said.

Kohli had an impressive IPL 2024 season, scoring over 700 runs for RCB and even winning the Orange Cap. However, he has struggled to replicate the same in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, captain Rohit Sharma has also backed Kohli, saying the legend might be saving his best for the final in Barbados.

“He is a quality paper. Any player can go through that. We do understand this class and understand his importance in all these big games. Form is never a problem, especially when you’ve played cricket for 15 years. He is looking good, and the intent is there. He is probably saving for the final,” Rohit said in the post-match interview.

On Saturday, India will face South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final match at the Kensington Oval. South Africa are set to play their first-ever final in the history of the tournament, after seven semi-final defeats.

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