Cricket News

‘What he has done for Indian cricket is not common’ – Ashish Nehra backs Virat Kohli amidst his lean patch

Former Indian skipper and senior batter Virat Kohli is enduring a poor run of form with the bat for a long time. He is currently on the receiving end of criticism from many experts and former cricketers. The veteran of 261 ODIs is struggling for his 71^st international century since the last one he scored against the West Indies in November 2019.

Nonetheless, amidst a lean patch for Kohli, former Indian pacer and his senior from Delhi Ashish Nehra has backed him. Nehra feels that the management should give some more chances to Kohli. He said he deserves chances on the grounds of his excellent performances in the past.

Backing from the teammates, management, and selectors is very vital – Ashish Nehra on Virat Kohli

“There will be discussions even if you are not a player of Kohli’s caliber. When you are playing you try to focus on your game and not listen to so-called ‘outside voices’ from people outside the dressing room. Backing from the teammates, management, and selectors is very vital. That is one of the things which inspires cricketers to get back their form,” Nehra was quoted as saying in his statement.

Later on, the former speedster went on to say that the 33-year-old deserves some extra chances. Nehra also advocated and backed Kohli by saying that he will surely be back in form very soon.

“What he has done for Indian cricket is not common. Yes, it’s not written anywhere that he will keep playing for India even if he does not score runs. But when you have done so much in the past, you will always get extra chances,” he added later.

“Let’s hope we see a different Virat after the West Indies series. If he rests for a month or five odd weeks, it will be helpful for him,” the 43-year-old concluded.

Notably, the World Cup winner batter has failed to deliver up to the expectations during the ongoing England tour. He could score individual innings of only 11 and 20 runs. These scores were in both the innings of the rescheduled last Test match against the hosts. Later on, he also failed to perform with the bat in both the three-match T20I series and the ongoing three-match ODI series as well.