Former India captain Virat Kohli's lean patch with the bat has left the cricket pundits divided where some are throwing their weight behind the high-profile batter and some are raising doubts over his future in the Indian fold.
It's been nearly three years since Kohli scored his last International century. Ever since the 33-year-old's form has only seen a steep decline. Kohli was also rested for the entire West Indies tour and now for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. However, he has been included in India's squad for the imminent Asia Cup which is scheduled to kick off from August 27.
Meanwhile, right ahead of India-Zimbabwe three-match ODI series, Zimbabwe batter Sikandar Raza has thrown his weight behind the struggling Kohli and has back him to the hilt.
"As much as cricket was all about fitness and xyz, the way he took that part forward for the younger generations to follow, I think that is commendable and people should give him enough credit for that. I feel like he is the ultimate all-format player and that has nothing to do with stats, what he has achieved, what he is going through, and what is he going to achieve; I am just speaking in general," Raza told Anis Sajan on his YouTube channel.
The Pakistan-born cricketer also urged the cricketing fraternity not to comment about the 33-year-old batter's form.
"I don't think I am knowledgeable enough or experienced enough to give a guy advice who has over 20,000 career runs. What do I tell him? I can't tell him anything. If anything, I can stay silent and also reckon people to do the same and let the guy live in peace. Just leave him alone and hopefully he will soon find his feet," he added.
India's squad: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar.
Zimbabwe's squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (captain), Tanaka Chivanga, Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, John Masara, Tony Munyonga, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Donald Tiripano.
