"Why Would You Question That?": Jos Buttler Backs Virat Kohli

15.07.2022 - 07:07 sports.ndtv.com

The chatter regarding Virat Kohli's form is increasing by the minute. The right-handed batter failed to get among the runs in the second ODI against England as he perished after scoring just 16.

He went chasing a delivery that was outside the off-stump and hence he lost his wicket to pacer David Willey. However, England captain Jos Buttler has now also come in support of Kohli, saying that the former India skipper has scored so many runs, and he does not understand why would someone question that. "I suppose in a little way it's quite refreshing for the rest of us that he (Kohli) is human and he can have a couple of low scores as well, but look he has been one of the best players, if not the best player in ODI cricket in the world.

So, he's been a fantastic player for so many years and all batters, it just proves, go through runs of form where they don't perform as well as they can do sometimes," Buttler said during a press conference. "But certainly, as an opposition captain, you know a player of that class is always due, so you're hoping that it doesn't come against us.

Yeah, incredibly surprised, as I said, his record speaks for himself. The matches he's won for India and yeah, why would you question that," he added.

cricket England Cricket Team Jos Buttler Virat Kohli Reece Topley David Willey India

The debate on Virat Kohli's form continued after he failed to register big scores in the T20Is or ODIs against England. He was rested from the ODIs against West Indies that followed and is not in the squad for the T20Is either, and it is unclear whether he will travel to Zimbabwe for India's series there. Former India selector Saba Karim said that the team management should not force Kohli to play against Zimbabwe or tell him that he won't be in contention for the T20 World Cup squad if he doesn't play against Zimbabwe.

"Don't Think We Have Any Right...": India Batter On Why Virat Kohli Should be Left Alone

Virat Kohli's form off late has become a huge talking point, and the big scores have not come for the batter. In the recently-concluded ODI series against England, Kohli failed to get into his groove and he registered scores of 16 and 17. Before that, he had failed in the Edgbaston Test and the T20I series against England as well. The batter has now gotten the support of Robin Uthappa, as the T20 World Cup-winner said that the batter needs to be left alone as he knows how to deal with things.

"A Wrong Signal": Ex-India Captain On Why Resting Virat Kohli Is A Bad Idea

Virat Kohli's current form is a hot topic of discussion. Not only has the former Indian cricket team captain failed to score a ton since 2019, his current form also fails to inspire confidence. He had a forgettable recent Tour of England too, where he could not score big in any of the three formats. Kohli is not part of the ODI and T20I squad for the Tour of West Indies. There has been no official communication about whether he has been dropped or rested. However, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar believes that Kohli can only get back to form if he plays.

You can never rule out a player of Virat Kohli's calibre: Dinesh Karthik

Virat Kohli, who is struggling to get back to form, has found support from his teammates. Just like India skipper Rohit Sharma, swashbuckling batter Dinesh Karthik has also come out in Kohli's support. "Virat has experienced insane success over the period of time. Now he will get a good break and will come back all recharged and hopefully will do phenomenally well. You can never rule out a player of his calibre," Karthik said on the sidelines of a training session with the budding cricketers at the PS Sports Excellence Arena here on Monday. Kohli has been rested for the West Indies tour which will begin on July 22.

"Would Love To Bowl At Virat Kohli Again": James Anderson Drops Big Career Hint

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.

Would love it if Virat Kohli spends time at my academy: Rajkumar Sharma

West Indies in a three-match ODI and a five-match T20I series. Despite having a good outing in England, fans have been majorly disappointed by India's star batter Virat Kohli, who once again failed to showcase his brilliant form. Kohli will not be a part of the upcoming series against West Indies and the fans have expressed that the former skipper should use this time and work on his form by practising at his childhood academy.