チャンピオンズトロフィーのインド対パキスタン戦はヴィラト・コーリの体調を整える最善の方法だとショアイブ・アクタル氏は語る

ヴィラト・コーリは3年間苦戦した後、2023年に全フォーマットで平均66.06点を記録した。しかし、コースを維持する代わりに、コーリの調子は 2024 年に再び低下しました (平均 21.83)。

Virat Kohli just finished the worst year of his cricketing career. Never had the former Indian captain averaged under 30 in a year across formats (ODIs, T20Is, and Tests) before his horrid 2024. The year with a solid 46-run knock against South Africa in Cape Town but did abysmally in Sydney. With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching, everyone has their eyes set on how Kohli will perform as he returns to his best format, ODIs.

Kohli will get in form for India vs Pakistan match, says Akhtar

The India cricket team will begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. How will Kohli react? Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar feels that come the clash against Pakistan on February 23, Kohli will somehow get among runs. The star batter has shown his pedigree against his arch-rivals, with his 183 against them in the 2012 Asia Cup and 82 in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“Agar Virat Kohli ko jagana hai to unko bta de Pakistan ke khilaaf match hai, toh woh uth jaege (If you want to wake Virat Kohli up, then just tell him there’s a match against Pakistan). A lot of the players who aren’t in form, they get back to form,” Akhtar told Sports Tak.

Favourite for ICC Champions Trophy match?

The former speedster believes that neither India nor Pakistan is favourites to win the match. Whoever plays well on the given day will win. However, his wish would be to see the Men in Blue win in Dubai. “Both teams are favourites. Their battle should be neck-and-neck, and it should be a high-scoring match. India is a strong side, and Jasprit Bumrah is a team of his own. “I would like to see Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Bumrah go out and perform at their best, but I really want Pakistan to win,” the fastest-ever pacer said.

He also hopes that fans were treated to an incredible show with Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Naseem Shah firing on all cylinders. “Hopefully for Pakistan, Babar Azam would show his magic. From Pakistan, Babar scores, and from India, Kohli does. Shaheen fires for Pakistan and Bumrah for India,” Akhtar concluded.