Harbhajan Singh Reflects on Virat Kohli’s ‘Unfinished Business’ with the World Cup

March 14, 2024 0 801

Harbhajan Singh believes that despite Virat Kohli’s immense success in cricket, including winning the World Cup early in his career, his unfulfilled desire to clinch the trophy again remains.

Following the recent disappointment in the ODI World Cup, the Indian team is gearing up for the T20 World Cup later this year, aiming to end a decade-long drought in ICC events. Harbhajan Singh, the Indian cricket legend, anticipates an important year for Kohli, dismissing reports suggesting his exclusion from the 2024 T20 World Cup squad.

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Harbhajan predicted Kohli’s resurgence in the upcoming IPL season, envisioning him carrying that form into the T20 World Cup. Emphasizing Kohli’s hunger for the elusive World Cup trophy, Harbhajan, in a YouTube video, recalled Kohli’s past wins and foresaw a renewed determination to clinch the trophy once more.

“The IPL is coming and then there is the World Cup. Virat Kohli’s bat will make the same noise as before, probably louder. Of course, Virat has that World Cup trophy (on mind). He last won it when he was not Virat but Cheeku (Kohli’s nickname). He won the World Cup in his first attempt but that’s the funny part about fortune. But from there, Kohli went on to become such a big player but without a World Cup – he played 2015, 2019 and now 2023 too. But still the trophy hasn’t come home, so he would be lamenting it,” Harbhajan said.

The former spinner also expressed disbelief at the thought of Virat Kohli not winning a World Cup. The ultimate dream for every player, Harbhajan noted, is lifting the World Cup trophy, which overshadows individual achievements.

Despite Kohli’s triumphs in the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy, the sting of five lost finals and four semi-final exits in various ICC events haunts him. He faced disappointment in numerous finals and semi-finals, including the 2014 T20 World Cup and 2023 World Cup finals, as well as exits in events like the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.