"Virat Kohli will deliver in the WTC final," predicts former India selector MSK Prasad

Virat Kohli scored 297 runs against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.

During an interview with ANI, MSK Prasad, the former chairperson of the national selection committee, expressed confidence that Virat Kohli, the star batter, would deliver an exceptional performance in the final of the ICC World Test Championship against Australia. Prasad attributed this belief to Kohli's favorable form and positive state of mind. With India's sights set on securing the ICC World Test Championship, their encounter with the Australian team at The Oval from June 7 onwards will undoubtedly feature Virat as one of India's crucial players in their quest for a significant ICC title, the first since 2013.

Prasad discussed various aspects, including India's prospects in the final, the form of senior players such as Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara, as well as the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane in the team. Acknowledging the high expectations placed on Virat by his fans, Prasad emphasized that Kohli had set an impressive benchmark for himself.

"He did not have a very great 2021-22. But that is because we expect a lot from him. He has set a very high standard for himself. He has to score hundreds in every match, otherwise, it is a failure. But he is a human after all. The captaincy pressure had him struggling for a while, but once he regained his rhythm and clarity, he did not look back. He has been in amazing form since last year's Asia Cup, and has made centuries in all formats. He must be having in his mind that India has not won an ICC tournament for years and must be fired up to give his best to help India win. With his form, state of mind in a good place and his seniority being above 100 Tests, I am sure he will deliver in the WTC final," Prasad told ANI.

Virat Kohli's Incredible Comeback

Following a period that fell short of Virat Kohli's exceptional standards in 2021 and the first half of 2022, the star batter embarked on a journey of redemption during the Asia Cup 2022. Prior to the tournament, Kohli took a break from the sport for over a month. It was in this event that he achieved his highly anticipated 71st century, marking his first in over three years.

Later in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, Kohli displayed a remarkable innings against Pakistan, scoring an unbeaten 82 in a high-pressure run chase at the MCG. His exceptional performances continued as he concluded the tournament as the leading run-scorer, amassing 296 runs in six matches. Beginning the year 2023 with an ODI century against Sri Lanka, Kohli sustained his brilliant form in significant events, emerging as the second-highest run-scorer and the top run-scorer for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Kohli's IPL 2023 Season

In the IPL 2023 season, Kohli excelled, accumulating 639 runs in 14 matches at an average of 53.25, with a strike rate surpassing 139. This season, he recorded two centuries and six fifties, with his best score being 101*.