"Pange Lete Hai Full": Ex-Pakistan Captain On Virat Kohli's Behaviour vs England And Why It's Good

08.07.2022 - 08:25 sports.ndtv.com

The opinions surrounding Virat Kohli's lean patch, and its possible end, have been wide-ranging. Some have criticised the former Indian cricket team captain, while others are optimistic that he will soon turn around the corner.

His recent show in the fifth rescheduled Test against England at Edgbaston, has again got some critical response. He even had mild altercation with Jonny Bairtsow.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has now commented that Kohli riling up rivals is a good sign for the cricketer. "I hope so, he is that kind of a player who will make a comeback.

The way he has played his cricket...maybe he scored 70 centuries too soon. My wish is he makes a comeback. World cricket needs him.

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In the fifth rescheduled Test between India and England earlier this month at Edgbaston, James Anderson took five wickets in the first innings and another one in the second innings. However, none of those scalps included the prized wicket of former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli. The contest between the two great cricketers is a mouth-watering one. Anderson has dismissed Kohli seven times in Tests.

Why Virat Kohli "Needs To Take Complete Off From Cricket", Ex-Pakistan Star Explains

Virat Kohli's poor batting form continues as the player is yet to play any noticeable knock in India's ongoing tour to England. The right-handed batter was a part of the playing XI in the fifth and rescheduled Test match in which he scored 11 and 20. Kohli was then rested from the first T20I against England before making a return to the team only to score 1 and 11 in the remaining two matches. Kohli also missed the first ODI against England due to a groin strain before returning to the team for the second ODI. He was dismissed for a 25-ball 16 in the game.

Virat Kohli "Didn't Score 70 Tons Playing Candy Crush": Ex-Pakistan Star's Out Of The Box Take On Star

Pakistan's fast-bowling great Shoaib Akhtar has hit out at Virat Kohli's critics and reminded them that the former India captain's 70 international hundreds weren't scored in "aunt's backyard" or while playing "candy crush video game". Kohli's painfully long lean patch of nearly three years has led to calls for his ouster from the T20 World Cup team, with even the legendary Kapil Dev voicing support for his exclusion.

Star India batter Virat Kohli is going through a rough patch with the bat. He has not been able to score big in recent time and he last scored a century back in 2019. Kohli was dismissed on 16 off 25 deliveries in the second ODI against England. Kohli's form has been concern for the Indian team, and some experts have opined that the former India skipper needs to spend some time with his family and take break from cricket. The 33-year-old has struggled against length deliveries outside-off too. While pointing out that technology has changed how the sport is played nowadays, Kohli, in some ways, is "similar to Javed Miandad" as both haven't relied too much on data, according to former Pakistan cricket team captain Rashid Latif.

"Keep Shining And Rising...": Virat Kohli's Reply To Babar Azam's 'Stay Strong' Message Goes Viral

Virat Kohli's slump with the bat has become the talk of the town. The star batter last scored a century in 2019, and since then the three-figure mark has eluded him. Kohli was dismissed on 16 off 25 balls in the second ODI against England, which prompted Pakistan captain Babar Azam to put out a tweet in favour of him. Kohli has now reacted to Babar's tweet. Taking to Twitter, Kohli thanked Babar for his support, and wished him luck. Notably, Babar is currently leading Pakistan for a two-match Test series against Pakistan.

"You Are Humiliating The Guy": Ex-Pakistan Star On Virat Kohli Facing Flak Due To Lean Patch

Virat Kohli's poor run of form has become the talk of the town as the former India skipper has not been among the runs in the ongoing series against England. Kapil Dev had earlier stated that if a No.2 ranked bowler like Ravichandran Ashwin can be dropped from Tests, then so can Virat be dropped from T20Is. Now, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has reacted to these comments, saying Kapil Dev can have his own opinion. However, he also showed his support towards Kohli, saying the batter should just focus on his batting.