Former India captain Virat Kohli is going through a persistent patchy form with the willow which has left the cricketing world gossiping about his future in the India cricket team.
Not just this, amid the upcoming T20 World Cup build up, the chorus to drop him from the marquee tournament is also rising. The high-profile batter has struggled to score a single century since 2019 and the struggle with the willow is pestering him to the core.
Despite his lean patch, the world knows the calibre he posses, given the milestones that he has achieved for Indian cricket so far.
In the face of tough times, Kohli is receiving whole lot of support form the current lot of players to the former cricketers.
Former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar believes the champion player will come back to his form soon and said that the calls for dropping Kohli from the team altogether are premature and unfair.
“I am sure there’s a little bit of worry. There’s a lot of talk about ‘Virat Kohli ko replace karlein’, I think it’s not fair," Agarkar said on FanCode.
What has added to Kohli’s woes is the fact that other players have put up eye-catching performances. However, Agarkar feels that in Australia, where the T20 WC will be held in October-November, India need someone of Kohli’s experience who knows how to deal with pressure situations.
“No doubt that, that’s why I am saying it’s premature (calls for Kohli to be dropped). He is not getting runs, a few other players are performing, but come the World Cup in Australia, if India are two down, you want Virat Kohli in form, but you want a Virat Kohli batting there. Because he knows how to bat under pressure in the big stages," Agarkar said.
Agarkar hopeful that soon enough, Kohli will return to his old self.
“He is getting starts. At the moment, he is finding new ways to get out. He knows how to score runs. At the moment, he is going through a lean patch which is the fact of life for every great player. Hopefully, for India’s sake, he gets back to form soon as there is a 50-over World Cup next year," he said,
He further added that the emergence of promising young talent doesn’t mean that Kohli’s spot in the team should be questioned.
“We have got some excellent young players who are doing well but that doesn’t mean you have to suddenly start questioning Virat Kohli. In World Cups, you need top players, you need experience. Hopefully, before that, he will get some runs. Once the confidence is there, he will find the Australian conditions the best to bat," Agarkar said.
