Virat Kohli arrived at the 2024 T20 World Cup like a conquering king, having dominated the IPL with a staggering 741 runs. But his crown now sits askew, tarnished by a string of disappointing performances that have some questioning his role as opener.
T20 World Cup to forget for Kohli!
Kohli’s scores in the tournament paint a grim picture: 9, 0, 37, 24, 0, 4, and 1. This translates to a mere 75 runs across seven innings, averaging a paltry 10.71 and a strike rate of a pedestrian 100. This is not only his worst T20 World Cup but also his worst T20I series overall (minimum three innings). This is a far cry from his usual brilliance, especially considering his phenomenal record at No. 3, where he boasts an average of 54 with 32 fifties.
More on Kohli
Worst opener?
| Player | Average | Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 10.71 | 2024 |
| Tanzid Hasan | 10.86 | 2024 |
| Tamim Iqbal | 11.86 | 2014 |
| Kyle Coetzer | 12.00 | 2021 |
The experiment of using Kohli as an opener alongside Rohit Sharma seems to have backfired. While Kohli’s struggles are concerning, statistically, he might be the worst opener in T20 World Cup history. Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan in the same edition comes close with an average of 10.85. Kohli, meanwhile, is averaging a horrific 10.71. While Kohli’s struggles are undeniable, crowning him the absolute worst opener in T20 World Cup history might be a stretch.
