Team India kicked off their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign with a rather comfortable win against Ireland on Wednesday, June 5. The trio of Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah shone with the ball, while skipper Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant played commendable innings for the Men in Blue. However, the half-full capacity crowd at Nassau County Stadium in New York was left a bit crestfallen with the early dismissal of star batter Virat Kohli.
Kohli, in his attempt to force the pace, was caught at third man, leaving him with yet another chance to regain his rhythm in the game against Pakistan. Despite his early departure, he didn’t leave the fans disappointed. The spectators, packed into the newly built stadium on Long Island, made their enthusiasm clear by echoing chants of “Kohli ko bowling do (Give Kohli a ball please)” when he was fielding near the boundary.
This wasn’t Kohli’s first brush with fans clamoring for him to bowl. Just before a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) game between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2024, Kohli shared a humorous anecdote on JioCinema about India’s bowling outfit for the T20 World Cup. Suresh Raina, during the same conversation, light-heartedly suggested that the former Indian captain could roll his arm over for a couple of overs like he did during World Cup 2023.
However, Kohli was quick to dismiss the notion. He said, “IPL mein nahi karunga. 2-3 baar puch rahe hain bowling do. Maine kaha bhai maaf kar do. Aur voh bhi wahan jahaan Bombay ne 15 over mein 200 bana diye. Usmein keh rahe hain, Kohli ko bowling do. Maine kaha, pagal ho gaye ho kya bhai, batting ka confidence bhi khatam ho jaayega (I will not bowl in the IPL. People were chanting, I was like please leave me. And that too in the game where Mumbai Indians scored 200 in 15 overs. In that they were like give bowling to Kohli. I was like, are they mad or what? Even the batting confidence will come down.
.)”
The match saw India earning two valuable points from their win against Ireland and they will now shift their focus to the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan. Historically, India vs Pakistan games have always been high-octane encounters attracting massive viewership from cricketing fans all around the world.
The question now is, will Kohli’s fans again raise their voices demanding their idol to bowl when India meets Pakistan? It is to be recalled that Kohli, known for his aggressive batting and stout fielding, has dabbled with bowling sporadically throughout his career, albeit without significant success. This makes the fans’ demand even more intriguing because it is rare to see a modern-day great whose primary skill lies miles ahead of his secondary.
India’s performance against Ireland was a blend of disciplined bowling and controlled batting. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya took charge with early inroads into the Irish batting lineup, crippling their efforts to post a challenging score. Bumrah then wrapped things up with his clinical death-overs bowling. Meanwhile, Sharma and Pant provided the solid foundation needed for the chase.
As cricket aficionados eagerly await the India-Pakistan face-off, Kohli’s performance remains a focal point. Known for his flair and approach to high-pressure games, his early dismissal against Ireland didn’t dampen the spirits entirely, thanks to his dynamic fielding and the crowd interaction that followed.
The 2024 T20 World Cup has already started to unfold some of the drama and excitement that cricket fans crave. Teams and players are gearing up to make their mark on the grand stage. For India, the journey is about maintaining momentum and addressing any chinks in their armor, be it batting depth or bowling variety. Kohli’s potential as a bowler remains a subject of light-hearted banter, but it also highlights the versatile expectations modern-day cricketers carry.
As for Kohli, his resolve and discipline, both with the bat and in the field, are expected to guide him back to form. His episode with the fans chanting for him to bowl adds another chapter to the myriad tales of his storied career. While he may not end up bowling an over in this tournament, Virat Kohli will undoubtedly continue to be a linchpin in India’s quest for T20 World Cup glory.
India’s comprehensive win against Ireland sets the stage for what promises to be thrilling encounters ahead, with fan expectations as high as ever. The Men in Blue have started on the right foot and with stars like Kohli in their ranks, they are poised to deliver memorable performances for their supporters both at home and abroad.
