Former Indian Player Slams Kapil Dev’s Statement Regarding Virat Kohli’s Form
Kapil Dev and Virat Kohli (Image Source: Twitter)
Virat Kohli failed to replicate his rich vein form since 2019 as he failed to score any hundred for India across all three formats. Earlier this month, during the England series, former India captain, Kapil Dev raised questions on the selection of this veteran batter in the playing XI despite his poor run of form.
However, several players like the current India skipper, Rohit Sharma, and former Pakistan pacer, Shoaib Akhtar came out in support of Kohli in recent times. Now, former Indian player, Ajit Agarkar also came out to support Kohli by slamming Kapil Dev’s statement as ‘Pre-mature’.
“I think there are a lot of talks that Virat Kohli should be replaced. I feel it’s too premature,” – Ajit Agarkar
Speaking on the Fancode app, Ajit Agarkar said that it is quite early to remove Virat from the team ahead of the World Cup. He said: “Going through a lean patch is a fact of life. Every great player has gone through it. Now next year you have the 50-over World Cup. If he comes out of it sooner or later then he will get a bit of time. I don’t think he has looked at his best that is why everyone is worried but he has got starts.”
He also slammed that people’s demand of removing Kohli is quite premature. “But you also don’t want him to stay out of form for too long. I think there are a lot of talks that Kohli should be replaced. I feel it’s too premature,” he added. Agarkar also supported Ricky Pointing’s statement by stating that Virat Kohli’s position should not be questioned.
“Yes, no doubt about it (on Ponting’s comment). That is why I feel all this discussion around whether he should be dropped is all too premature. There were two months of the Indian T20 League where other players have performed but come to the World Cup, where if India is two down early while chasing a score you want Kohli in form, you want him batting there. He knows how to bat under pressure. Yes, there are other players who are performing well but that doesn’t mean you have to start questioning Kohli. In World Cup, you need top players who have been in those situations. Hopefully, before that he gets some runs and boosts his confidence,” he concluded.
