Former England cricketer David Lloyd made a massive remark on renowned Indian batter Virat Kohli and said that his time is up. Since he did not have any standout performances during the most recent Test season, Kohli has been struggling in the longest format lately. Despite reaching a century in the first Test match against Australia in Perth, the former captain of India was unable to sustain his form as the Australian spinners took advantage of his weakness outside off stump.
David Lloyd on Virat Kohli
Concerns have been expressed regarding Kohli's position in the Indian Test team due to his extended period of bad form. Lloyd recently expressed his opinions about Kohli's dismal performance, stating that the Indian batter is no longer at his peak. He also mentioned his weakness outside off stump and predicted that he will be targeted there once more after arriving in England.
"Virat Kohli knows he is past his best and that will hurt. When India come to England, you know where he's going to be. Just outside off stump, and the business area will be the slips. At 36 years of age, up in the mind, he knows what he should be doing. Your reflexes gently go. Ponting said he carried on a bit longer than he usually would have. The selectors should know. He is one of the greatest players we have seen but is past his best. The coach Gautam Gambhir will have an enormous say, a big say, because he has been in that dressing room. He has lost time. His time is over," Lloyd told talkSport Cricket.
"The one thing when you talk about great cricketers, that the rest haven't, is time. He has lost time. It's gone. His time's gone. It comes with age. Everyone tells you what you need to be doing. Stuff like 'leave the ball' watch it till the end. But it's gone. These are great international bowlers. If it's a repetitive way of getting out – in Test match you know there's going to be a bank of slips'. If you keep nicking off, it's a tell-tell sign for anybody that reflexes and reaction time is gone," he added.
Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli in probable of Delhi squad
Earlier, prominent Indian batters Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli were also included in Delhi's squad as probables for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024–25 round. However, sources told India Today that as of Tuesday, January 14, neither the selectors nor Kohli had communicated their desire to play. Rishabh Pant made his final appearance in India's top first-class event in 2017, and Kohli last participated in a Ranji match in 2012.
Indian batting sensation Virat Kohli has been advised to represent Delhi in domestic cricket competitions by Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) secretary Ashok Sharma. In reference to Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, who was recently spotted practising at the Wankhede Stadium with Mumbai's Ranji Trophy team, Sharma urged that Kohli draw inspiration from the Mumbai players.
"Both Virat and Rishabh’s names are in the probable list. The Ranji Trophy camp is underway. Virat should take inspiration from the Mumbai cricketers and play for Delhi in domestic cricket, whenever he is available. See in Mumbai, there has always been a culture where their India players turn up for Ranji matches whenever available. It is missing in the North, especially in Delhi. The BCCI has also mentioned players should participate in domestic cricket. I feel Virat and Rishabh should play at least one game, but I don’t think they will" Ashok Sharma said