'He didn't score runs there because...': Harbhajan Singh decodes Virat Kohli's struggles in the USA

In a highly anticipated Group stage clash tomorrow at 8:00 PM in the World T20 2024, India faces off against Canada at the Central Broward Regional Park. With an overwhelming win probability, the Indian team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, has already secured a spot in the Super 8 of the competition after being a dominant force in the T20 World Cup so far. Canada, which needs wonders, will look to make a statement against the dominant Indian squad which is unbeatable in the competition so far.

Also Read: Sanjay Bangar speaks on Virat Kohli's T20 World Cup struggles in the USA

Harbhajan Singh defends Virat Kohli for his T20 World Cup struggles in the USA

Virat Kohli and other batters shouldn't be evaluated exclusively on their results from the 2024 T20 World Cup matches in New York, Harbhajan Singh stressed. In the eight games that have been played at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium so far, the highest score recorded by Canada is 137/7. The pitch has been quite favourable to bowlers, especially seamers.

On Saturday, June 15, India and Canada will play their last Group A game in Lauderhill, Florida. If inclement weather or unfavourable playing circumstances don't interfere with the game, the Men in Blue, who have already guaranteed a berth in the Super Eights, intend to give their hitters important time in the middle innings.

Harbhajan was questioned about India's areas of improvement—including Kohli's recent struggles—that the squad intends to address against Canada at a Star Sports forum. Harbhajan Singh said: 

"I will get a lot of shortcomings if I try to find them on that pitch, but I do not want to judge anyone on that pitch because batting was difficult on that pitch. There was a lot of help for the bowlers. However, the one thing I would want to see is consistency," 

“Virat Kohli didn't score runs there because the conditions were like that. You cannot judge a player in those conditions. He has come here from there, his confidence will be high here. As Navjot Sidhu also said, all batters would have offered Prasada as they got rid of that pitch,”

"Runs are obviously expected from Virat Kohli here. Along with that, we need to consistently see partnerships which we weren't getting in the first six overs. Then your middle order is set. Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube have scored runs," 

"We had spoken about Dube not scoring runs. You cannot judge anyone on that pitch. We were getting 110-run matches there and a winner or loser was getting decided in that. The conditions are different here and we hope the batters' form will also change along with the conditions, and it will definitely change," 

Also Read: Updated T20 World Cup 2024 standings after SA beat NEP, NZ beat UGA

Just five runs have been scored by Virat Kohli in three innings in New York. Against Ireland, he scored one run, against Pakistan four, and against the USA he was removed for a golden duck.

Just Rishabh Pant (96), Rohit Sharma (68), and Suryakumar Yadav (59) have scored more than 50 runs in New York among Indian players. Shivam Dube will want to carry on his great form in Florida after keeping his record spotless with a 31-run knock against the USA in the last match.