"Virat Kohli has a great chance to become a hero"- Mohammad Kaif backs star batter to replicate MS Dhoni's 2011 ODI World Cup final heroics

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif called on the out-of-form Virat Kohli to replicate MS Dhoni's heroics from the 2011 ODI World Cup final in the summit clash of the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. The match is set to be played in Barbados on Saturday, June 29.

Kohli has been in dismal form throughout the tournament, scoring only 75 runs at an average of 10.71 and a strike rate of 100 in seven games. Recalling the 2011 50-over World Cup, Dhoni endured similar struggles until the grand finale, scoring only 150 runs without a half-century in eight outings.

However, come the final against Sri Lanka, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter smashed a match-winning 91* off 79 balls to help India clinch the title.

In a video shared on his X handle, Kaif said:

"Mahendra Singh Dhoni was out of form in the 2011 ODI World Cup. He played an unbeaten 91-run knock in the final. His six over long on off Kulasekara is etched in everybody's mind. That's why I think Virat Kohli has a great chance to become a hero."

"Virat Kohli needs to remember that even Dhoni didn't have a great World Cup in 2011, but he found form in the final. Small suggestion: He is too good a player to slog, he can play ball on merit and dominate any bowline attack," he added.

Dhoni's stellar performance in the final earned him Player of the Match honors as India chased down a formidable 275 in the penultimate over with six wickets in hand.

"He must forget that he is in poor form" - Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif felt Virat Kohli must forget his poor current form and recall his sensational knock against South Africa in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

On a turning wicket at Eden Gardens, the 35-year-old scored a majestic 101* off 121 deliveries to propel India to a massive 326/5 in 50 overs.

"He must forget that he is in poor form. He had hit a century when India last played South Africa in the ODI World Cup at Eden Gardens. He was brilliant that day and played very well, but he wasn't slogging that day but was playing the ball on merit with proper cricket shots," said Kaif.

It was also Kohli's 49th ODI century as he eventually finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 765 runs at an average of over 95 in 11 innings.

Despite his struggles in the ongoing competition, Team India have not missed a beat, winning all seven completed games to reach the final.