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[Saba Sports News] Virat Kohli had an outstanding year in 2023, leading the run-scoring charts at the ODI World Cup with 765 runs and three centuries. He also struck two Test centuries against Australia and West Indies. Former England captain Nasser Hussain was highly impressed by Kohli’s performance and anticipates another exceptional year for him in 2024.
Hussain praised Kohli’s technique in 2023, particularly highlighting his innings against Sri Lanka in the World Cup. He believes that Kohli’s mental state and technical proficiency bode well for his performance in the upcoming year.
Nasser, in a video by ICC, expressed his admiration for Kohli: “Virat Kohli is undoubtedly a megastar. His fantastic 2023, especially during the World Cup, showcased his exceptional batting skills. Technically, I haven’t seen him bat better. His innings against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, among others, showed he’s in a great position. This indicates he’s mentally strong and his game is well-ordered, which is great for him, India, and his fans.”
Turning his attention to Babar Azam, Hussain believes 2024 will be significant for him and Pakistan. After stepping down as captain following a less-than-stellar performance in the ODI World Cup, Hussain expects Azam to focus more on his batting and excel in the coming year. He mentioned that Pakistan reached the finals of the T20 World Cup in 2022 and to secure victory this time, Azam’s top form will be crucial.
Nasser commented on Azam’s prospects: “Babar Azam is another one to watch. It’s a big year for him and Pakistan. Relinquishing the captaincy might relieve some pressure. What Pakistan cricket needs most is for him to score a lot of runs. With the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, and Pakistan’s last performance reaching the finals, they will need their former captain to deliver a strong performance.