Virat Kohli’s horror run of form continues during T20 Cricket World Cup

Virat Kohli is considered one of the best batsmen ever, but at the T20 World Cup the Indian star is dealing with a horror form slump.

Virat Kohli may well be one of the greatest batsmen to ever grace a cricket pitch, but the Indian legend is battling a horror form slump.

India entered the T20 Cricket World Cup as one of the favourites to win it all with their star studded line-up headlined by Kohli.

Get on board Kayo and watch every game of every round of the NRL + AFL Seasons live and ad break free during play. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

Kohli, 35, has been a destroyer of opposing bowling attacks in previous T20 World Cups but in 2024 he’s a shadow of his former self.

Through India’s first four games Kohli has only managed to produce 29 runs, 24 of which came in their Super 8’s clash against Afghanistan on Friday (AEST).

In three group games, Kohli made a combined five runs with a golden duck coming against cricket minnow’s USA.

Despite his lowly output, former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke was backing in the superstar to produce when it matters most for his nation.

“He had a great IPL. I wouldn’t be concerned about three low scores. All that means to me that he’s one step closer to making a big one,” Clarke said on ESPN’s Around the Wicket.

“It’s the most important stage as well where the best players usually stand up.”

Kohli is in a rare form slump. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images/AFP

Suryakumar Yadav smashed a fine half-century before India’s bowlers slammed the brakes on Afghanistan’s flamboyant shot-makers to romp to a 47-run win.

Suryakumar’s 53 was his 19th fifty in the format and helped India post a challenging 181-8 in the contest.

Experienced fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah then combined with spin trio Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja to strangle Afghanistan, seen by many as dark horses for the title, who were dismissed for 134 off the last ball.

“We adapted well and got 180, which was a great effort from the batters,” said India captain Rohit Sharma.

“We had class bowlers who defended it perfectly. Everyone came in and did their job.”

Afghanistan slipped quickly to 23-3 losing openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (11) and Hazratullah Zazai (two) to the wily Bumrah while Patel sent back Ibrahim Zadran (eight).

Gulbadin Naib (17) and topscorer Azmatullah Omarzai (26) put on 44 for the fourth wicket but once they fell to Kuldeep and Jadeja respectively, Afghanistan wilted in their chase.

Bumrah finished with a career best 3-7 from his four overs while fellow seamer Arshdeep Singh took 3-36.

Bumrah was on fire. (Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP)

India and Afghanistan will face Australia and Bangladesh in their remaining Group 1 fixtures with the top two teams making the semi-finals.

India will square off with Bangladesh on Sunday morning (AEST) before they close out the Super 8 round against Australia on Tuesday.

The top four teams from the two Super 8 groups will advance into the semi-final stages with those matches taking place on June 27 and 28.

The T20 Cricket World Cup final is set to take place on June 30 with contest getting underway at 12:30am (AEST).

- with AFP

Originally published as Virat Kohli’s horror run of form continues during T20 Cricket World Cup