Opinion

Virat Kohli is best batter of this generation, deserves World Cup medal: Yuvraj Singh

Written by Vishwas Gupta

Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh lavished praise on Virat Kohli and labelled him as the best batter of this generation. Yuvraj further stated that the former Indian captain deserves to win a World Cup medal more than anyone else. Kohli is gearing up for India’s upcoming campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024 edition, in West Indies and USA in June, where he will compete in the tournament for the sixth time. 

Kohli has been in sensational form in T20 WC history, amassing 1,143 runs. The 35-year-old was adjudged Player of the Tournament in 2014 and 2016 as well as in the 2022 edition. However, he has never won the T20 WC as his first-ever appearance came in 2012, five years after India’s championship win in the inaugural season in 2007. He came close to winning the ODI World Cup at home in 2023 but India lost to Australia in the final. Kohli ended up with 765 runs — most by any batter in a single edition.

Thus, Kohli remains India’s biggest player, especially in mega-events, and Yuvraj has backed him to win another World Cup title soon. The former Indian all-rounder said in a chat with ICC, “The best batter of this generation, I feel, in all formats. And I think he is also someone who needs a World Cup medal. He has one. I’m sure he is not satisfied with one. I think he surely deserves that medal as well.”

Yuvraj further opined on Kohli’s playing style and added, “I think he understands his game really well. He knows if he’s there till the end, he is going to win the game for India and he has done that on some big occasions – against Australia in Mohali as well.” He concluded, “Once he had the confidence of chasing and knowing the situation, he knows how to bat in these situations, knows which bowlers to attack, which bowlers to take singles off, when to attack again, handle the pressure and knows when to change his game.”

Kohli-starrer Indian team will begin their T20 WC campaign on June 5, where they face Ireland in New York. They are placed in Group A along with arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and the USA. 

About the author

Vishwas Gupta