Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has made a bold prediction that Virat Kohli will score a century against Pakistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy match and has even promised to do bhangra if Kohli achieves the feat. Despite Kohli’s recent struggles with form, Harbhajan believes the star batter will rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.
Harbhajan’s Big Prediction
During an interview with India Today, Harbhajan expressed confidence that Kohli will score his 51st ODI hundred in the high-pressure match against Pakistan. The former off-spinner emphasized that no matter how Kohli's last four months have gone, a big innings against Pakistan would be remembered forever by fans.
"I'm going to make a big prediction here. How about Virat Kohli getting 100 versus Pakistan? Yeah, so no matter how his last four months have gone, people will obviously remember if you go on to get 100 tomorrow. So come on, Cheeku, the whole nation is behind you. I am hoping that you get 100, and I'm going to do bhangra after the game now," Harbhajan declared.
Kohli’s Recent Form and Determination
Kohli’s recent form has been below his usual standards, with just one fifty in his last six matches. His struggles against leg-spinners continued in the last match against Bangladesh, where he once again fell prey to a spinner.
However, showing his commitment to bounce back, Kohli arrived at the practice session 90 minutes early on Saturday and was seen leading the team in warm-ups. His early arrival and focused approach have sparked optimism that he is gearing up for a special performance against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Harbhajan’s Faith in Kohli’s Big-Match Temperament
Harbhajan backed Kohli to step up in crucial games, citing his ability to thrive under pressure.
"He understands his role. People are looking forward to seeing Virat Kohli bat and score runs, and the team needs him more than anybody else. And of course, when the competition becomes harder, players like him always come to the party. This is the right time for him to hit form, and it's good to see him back in the nets early, practicing harder than the others," said Harbhajan.
Kohli’s Last ODI Century and the Importance of the Pakistan Clash
The last time Kohli scored an ODI hundred was during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on November 15, 2023. Given the high stakes of an India-Pakistan encounter, this could be the perfect stage for Kohli’s resurgence.
With Harbhajan’s strong backing, Indian fans will be hoping to see Kohli at his best, delivering a match-winning knock and, perhaps, making Harbhajan dance in celebration.
