NEW DELHI: Former England spinner Monty Panesar has expressed his support for the Indian cricket team in their quest to end their ICC World Cup title drought by securing the T20 World Cup trophy. Additionally, Panesar made a bold prediction regarding struggling Virat Kohli.

As the tournament reaches its climax, with the undefeated teams of India and South Africa set to face off in the final, Panesar has placed his faith in the Indian side led by Rohit Sharma to emerge victorious.

Furthermore, he forecasted that Kohli, who has been experiencing a lean patch, would rise to the occasion and score a century against the formidable South African team.

“India will win the T20 World Cup final, and Virat Kohli will score 100,” Panesar told ANI.

Kohli’s recent performances in the T20 World Cup have been a far cry from his stellar run in the IPL 2024 season with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The former Indian captain, who had been in sublime form during the IPL, has found runs hard to come by in the ongoing international tournament, struggling to find his rhythm at the top of the order alongside Rohit Sharma.

In the IPL 2024, Kohli had a phenomenal season, amassing 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, with a century and five half-centuries, ultimately claiming the Orange Cap for the most runs scored in the tournament.

However, Kohli’s fortunes have taken a drastic turn in the T20 World Cup. Across seven matches, the experienced batsman has only managed to score 75 runs at a dismal average of 10.71, failing to make a significant impact for his team throughout the tournament.

Rohit expressed confidence in his fellow Indian player’s ability to deliver an impressive performance when facing South Africa in Barbados on Saturday. In addition to Panesar, the skipper believes his teammate has the potential to put on a remarkable display during the upcoming match against the Proteas.

“He (Kohli) is a quality player. Any player can go through that. We do understand his class, and we do understand his importance in all these big games. Form is never a problem. When you’ve played cricket for 15 years, form is never a problem. He’s looking good, the intent is there, and he’s probably saving for the final. Absolutely (backing Kohli for the final),” Rohit said in the post-match presentation after India’s 68-run over England in the semi-final.