Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won hearts on both sides of the border when he tweeted in favour of out-of-form Virat Kohli. Azam feels that Kohli is just going through a tough phase. As a player, Azam understands what Kohli must be going through. Also, he believes that at this stage the former Indian skipper everyone’s support.
"I just feel that in the present situation Kohli needs support and to be backed. I tweeted wishing him best because I know how a player feels when he is going through this period and he needs the support of everyone," Babar said in the pre-match press conference ahead of first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.
“This too shall pass. Stay strong," the 27-year-old had tweeted after Kohli managed to score 16 runs in the run chase at Lord’s on July 14.
Kohli will be seen in action again in the final ODI of the series at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, on July 17.
After a disappointing score at Lord’s, skipper Rohit Sharma backed the 33-year-old as well in the post-match press conference as he said, "For someone who has won so many matches for India, you need one or two innings to bounce back. That's what I feel and I am sure all those who follow cricket will think similarly."
"He has played so many matches, over such a long period of time. He is such a great batter," Rohit stressed on the point that Kohli does not need his assurance.
Opposition captain Jos Buttler had similar views on Kohli’s slump in form. The wicketkeeper-batter also feels that it happens to every batter.
"I suppose in a little way it is 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 in ODI cricket in the world," Buttler said after 100-run win in the second ODI to level the series 1-1.
