WATCH: “I’ve still got it I guess,” Virat Kohli SHUTS critics after match-winning performance against Punjab Kings

Virat Kohli scored 77 off 49, which won him the Man of the Match award.

WATCH: “I’ve still got it I guess,” Virat Kohli SHUTS critics after match-winning performance against Punjab Kings

Virat Kohli (Image via IPL)

Before the start of the 2024 IPL, there were reports of Virat Kohli being dropped from the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. The BCCI reportedly wanted a younger option and feared the Indian star would struggle in the West Indies. 

Kevin Pietersen and Ravi Shastri had a debate about his inclusion for the World Cup as well during the match between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians. While Pietersen debated that Virat Kohli needed to be selected to grow the game, the former Indian coach disagreed. 

YouTube video
It’s not about growing the game, it’s about winning the competition. The game will grow wherever it needs to grow. What I’m trying to say is no baggage. And India won the 2007 T20 World Cup with a young side. You want youth. You want flamboyance.
Ravi Shastri on air

The next day, Kohli played an incredible innings against Punjab Kings that won him the Man of the Match award. Often playing the role of an anchor, the innings saw a new Kohli as he played with an attacking mindset. In the post-match presentation, the Indian star decided to take a subtle dig at his critics regarding him being dropped. 

I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket, I've still got it I guess.
Virat Kohli in the post match presentation

Kohli scored 77 off 49, with a strike rate of 157.14, while chasing 176. The innings saw him hit Sam Curran for four boundaries in the opening over, which included two of his signature cover drives. 

Harsha Bhogle says he enjoyed Virat Kohli’s post-match comments 

In the past few months, Harsha Bhogle has been one of the biggest critics of Virat Kohli’s approach in T20 cricket. He claimed that anchors are something the format did not require and his brother also released an article to show how anchors are not needed, with negative feedback. 

Virat Kohli
Harsha Bhogle, Virat Kohli (Images via NDTV, ESPNcricinfo)

When Kohli made his comment, Bhogle was the one speaking to him. After the end of the match, Bhogle tweeted out that he enjoyed the conversation he had with Kohli. But the Kohli and RCB fans did not miss the chance to call him out once again. 

As a presenter, you have an instinct about comfort levels and it was good to listen to him talk about life beyond the game in the last 2 months.
Harsha Bhogle on X

Check out the reactions of fans: 

Kohli and co. will now play Kolkata Knight Riders on 29th of March. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings host Gujarat Titans on the 26th, with both teams having won their opening games.,

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