'Once He Tastes Blood...': Ex-India Star Backs Virat Kohli Ahead Of Australia Clash

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa said on Sunday that he wants to witness a solid half-century from star India batter Virat Kohli during Men in Blue's high-profile ICC T20 World Cup Super 8s clash against Australia, even if it comes at a lower strike rate than expected. India and Australia take on each other in a must-win clash at Saint Lucia on Monday. India is at the top of Group One with two wins in two games and have four points. They won their previous game against Bangladesh by 50 runs.

On the other hand, Australia is in the second place with a win and loss, giving them two points. They lost their previous game to Afghanistan by 21 runs in a shocker.

In the ongoing tournament, Virat has scored 66 runs in five games at an average of 13.20 and a strike rate of 108.19, with the best score of 37. While he has played knocks of 24 and 37 in Super Eights, Virat struggled at New York's Nassau County Stadium pitches, scoring just 1, 4 and zero on the pitches often criticised for poor bounce and play for batters.

Virat, the top run-getter in T20 World Cup history, was expected to light up the tournament, as he has done consistently for years. He arrived in the tournament after a stupendous Indian Premier League (2024) season with the bat for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he scored 741 runs in 15 innings at 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, with a century and five fifties and also won the Orange Cap. Virat registered his highest-ever strike rate in his IPL career and was exceptional against spinners, taking a more attacking approach against them.

Speaking on Ravichandran Ashwin's Youtube Channel, Uthappa said in the conversation with the Indian spin veteran that a solid knock from Virat before the semifinals