India are all set to return to the Asia Cup field, which will also mark the return of former India skipper Virat Kohli to the national team. Kohli has not turned out for the Indian team since playing against England in July, and was rested for the limited-overs tour of West Indies as well as the upcoming Zimbabwe tour as well.
The England tour has actually been Kohli's only international assignment post the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. But the former India captain has been recalled for the crucial Asia Cup which will be key for the Men in Blue as they begin preparations for the T20 World Cup. And ahead of the tournament, former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria made a huge prediction about Kohli.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaneria has backed the 33-year-old to be at his usual best in the UAE. He predicts that the Asia Cup will change Kohli's career, and also said that Kohli needs to make the most of the such tournaments, especially with so many young stars on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity.
"The Asia Cup will change Virat Kohli's career. The tournament is crucial for him to prolong his career and I feel he will come good. However, many former cricketers have said that Kohli is just heavy baggage on the team if he doesn't score runs. So he needs to think carefully about how he can make a comeback. This is because there are other dynamic batters like Iyer, Samson and Gill waiting in the wings," he said.
Kaneria also opined on Kohli's batting position for the Asia Cup. Many are under the impression that Kohli should open the batting for India, Kaneria feels that Kohli's best place in the batter line is at no. 4, with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul opening, and the hugely impressive Suryakumar Yadav in no. 3.
"Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul will open. But I would put Suryakumar Yadav at No. 3 and then followed by Kohli. Kohli will need some time to settle in and play carefully so I think he should bat at No.4," he said.
The Asia Cup will begin from August 27 onwards in the UAE. They will take on bitter rivals.
