T20 World Cup 2024: The determination to succeed and get up after every failure makes Virat Kohli a unique player.

Former Australia player Matthew Hayden has backed Virat Kohli to perform well in the super 8 stage of T20 World Cup 2024. (Photo: X)

New Delhi: The stage is set for a blockbuster clash between India and Australia at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. The old foes will face off in a decider the result of which would determine the final two teams to progress to the semi-finals from Group 1 of Super Eight at the T20 World Cup 2024.

Australia, in particular, need the win more than the Men in Blue, who have two wins in as many games in Super 8. The Aussies suffered a surprise defeat against Afghanistan on Monday and now face India in a must-win clash. Afghanistan, revived by the historic win against Australia, would aim to continue winning momentum against Bangladesh to semis hopes alive.

Ahead of the crunch clash, Australian cricketers heaped praise on star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli. After failing in the first three games, Kohli has found some form with scores of 24 and 37 against Afghanistan and Bangladesh respectively.

Kohli’s three single-digit scores to open the T20 World Cup 2024 campaign put much pressure on the former India captain. Calls grew louder to drop the superstar batter in favour of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is yet to get a game. However, after spending some time in the middle in the last two games, things don’t look as bleak as they were in the group stages.

A special player

The determination to succeed and get up after every failure makes Kohli a unique player. He has also drawn comparisons with the Australian cricketers due to his competitive nature. He commands respect from the Aussies, which was quiet evident in their comments ahead of the match.

Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, Josh Hazelwood said, “Just played against him, obviously, the last 10 years or so, and always a great competitor.”

Opening batter David Warner was all praise for the Indian master: “It’s just his passion for the game, like, he’s got a knack for indetermination just for scoring runs and hunger to score runs. You know, he cops a lot of criticism, which is not right. I don’t know why he cops it, but there are a lot of people out there who are big Virat supporters, like all of us.”

Warner also praised Kohli’s competitive nature and labelled him as a team man.