‘No selector can drop Virat Kohli from Indian team’- Former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif
Virat Kohli, the once great India batter is going through a rough patch of form extending to more than two years. It is only natural that everyone involved with cricket or even outside of it has a thing or two to say about his bad form.
Many are understandably calling for Kohli to be given more chances and there are many who are in favour of dropping him from the team. Kohli has been rested from the upcoming tour of West Indies and chatter on online forums and in real-life groups say that he has been dropped and not ‘rested’ as the Indian Cricket Board says.
Talking on the same, ex-Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has said that, ‘a selector who can drop Virat Kohli is yet to be born in India.’ During a chat with the YouTube channel ‘Caught behind’ the former wicket-keeper batter said, “India mein wo selector paida nahi hua hai jo Virat (Kohli) ko drop kar sake (no selector in India can drop Virat Kohli).
“Virat ke kandhe pe bandhuk rakhke puri India ki team bach rahi rahi. (Virat is just a scapegoat for all other players’ failure) You take a look at the 2019 World Cup, the last T20 World Cup. If Virat didn’t perform then what did the others do?” Latif added.
Virat Kohli made a comeback to the team in the second ODI after missing the first with a groin niggle. He was however not able to put an end to his bad form and got out at just 16 runs.
“Kohli’s problem is not mental, it’s technical. You take a look at how he started the innings with a straight driver, an on drive and then played a cover drive. Watch the lengths of those deliveries, they were full, the ones Virat is comfortable with. But the one he got out to was pulled back and moved away,” explained Latif.
“I believe that was a ball that should have been cut but Virat doesn’t play that shot. He always puts his weight on the front foot. He obviously doesn’t have any problem when the ball is pitched up but when it’s short, his balance is not right. His momentum carries his body in front and naturally, he finds it difficult to adjust when the ball is slightly short and away from his eye-line. Batting coach Vikram Rathour and head coach Rahul Dravid have to work on that,” concluded the former Pakistan player.
India play England in the third ODI on July 17th in Old Trafford Stadium.
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