'That’s not great but...': West Indies legend Brian Lara on Virat Kohli's rut in T20 World Cup 2024

West Indies legend Brian Lara came in support of Virat Kohli, who is struggling for runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup, in West Indies and the USA. On Thursday (June 20), India faced Afghanistan in their first Super 8 encounter, at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, where Kohli just managed a run-a-ball 24 during the Rohit Sharma-led side's convincing 47-run win in defence of 181/8. While there were a lot of positives for Team India, Kohli's form remains a worry. However, Lara feels the Indian team management and fans need to be patient with him as there are still a lot of games left in the 20-nation event.

So far, Kohli has just managed 29 runs in four outings in the tournament. He looked set versus Afghanistan before being removed by Rashid Khan, in an attempt to go for a big shot. Lara, however, feels 'he spent some time out there' and it will hold him in good stead going forward.

Lara said on Star Sports, "24 of 24, you can say that’s not great but the most important thing is that he spent some time out there. India has got one step closer to winning this trophy. I believe that Virat Kohli is just gonna go from strength to strength as he comes down to the Caribbean. He’s going to Antigua next, you’re gonna see him go out there and plough and plough, he’s gonna get runs. When he gets into full swing, it’s a different story. We just have to be very patient with him, we’re gonna see a lot of him there’s still a lot of games left in this World Cup."

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Amid Kohli's poor run of form, South African legend AB de Villiers made a special request to the Indian team management before their Super 8 clash versus Afghanistan. ABD reckoned, on his YouTube channel, "I have always said please bat Virat at number three. Especially in better wickets that they will play now, Virat is the go-to guy at number three. He can play the attacking game and also pull back and absorb the pressure if necessary. He is the best player in the world in the middle overs. I do not see any reasons (for opening)."

Talking about India's Super 8 win versus the Afghans, Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue posted 181 for 8 after deciding to bat first. Suryakumar Yadav's 53, Hardik Pandya's 24-ball 32 and Rishabh Pant's 11-ball 20 propelled India to a fighting total. In reply, Jasprit Bumrah's 3 for 7 and Arshdeep Singh's 3 for 36 dismissed Rashid Khan & Co. for 134.

With this win, India remain one of the three unbeaten sides in the ongoing T20 WC. They will now lock horns with Bangladesh on Saturday (June 22) in Antigua. The one-time winners are in Group 1 along with Australia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.