Virat Kohli's poor performance persisted in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, as the star Indian batter was dismissed for a duck in the Super 8 match against Australia on Monday. Kohli attempted a shot off Josh Hazlewood, only to be caught by Tim David. This marked Kohli's second duck of the tournament, following a golden duck against the United States in the group stage. He joined former pacer Ashish Nehra as the second Indian player to record two ducks in a single T20 World Cup edition, a feat Nehra achieved in 2010. Despite Kohli's struggles, India secured a 24-run victory over Australia to advance to the semifinals.
India posted a formidable total of 205/5, thanks to an explosive innings from captain Rohit Sharma. In response, the Indian bowlers restricted Australia to 181/7 in 20 overs, clinching the win.
"It was satisfying," Rohit Sharma commented after the match. He acknowledged the threat posed by the opposition and praised the team for their performance. Sharma noted that scoring 200 was a good achievement, especially with the wind being a significant factor. He highlighted the importance of individuals fulfilling their roles and taking wickets at crucial times.
Discussing Kuldeep Yadav, Sharma said, "We know his strength, but we need to use him when necessary. He had to miss out in New York due to seamer-friendly conditions, but we knew he had a big role to play here."
Looking ahead to the semifinals, Sharma stated the need to maintain their current approach. He urged the team to play freely, without overthinking, and to stay focused on their roles. He added that facing England in the semifinal would be an exciting match but stressed that their strategy as a team would remain unchanged.