NEW DELHI: A solid 59-ball 76 from star batter Virat Kohli took India to a competitive 176 for 7 in the high-pressure T20 World Cup final in Barbados last week. After India opted to bat, Proteas bowlers fired in unison early as Rohit Sharma and Co. were three down inside the powerplay itself. However, Kohli stood solid as a rock at the other end and played the anchor role to perfection.

He first arrested India’s slide with a 72-run stand with Axar Patel and then took India forward in the second half alongside Shivam Dube and others, taking India to a solid total. But former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Kohli’s knock was too slow and could have put India in a tight corner.

Reigniting the Kohli strike-rate debate that haunted the opener during the IPL, Manjrekar said Kohli’s conservative approach didn’t allow the likes of Hardik Pandya too much time in the middle. With 30 needed off 30 balls and six wickets in hand, Proteas batters choked in the chase as India bowlers pulled off a miracle turnaround.

As Rohit and Co. won the thrilling finale by 7 runs, India ended an over-a-decade long ICC title drought. The 2024 T20 World Cup title is now India’s second in the format. In the inaugural 2007 edition, India won the title under the leadership of legendary MS Dhoni.