India's 1983 World Cup-winning skipper Kapil Dev has suggested that Virat Kohli may have been dropped from the national team for the upcoming tour of the West Indies. Kapil Dev's claim was in contrast to several reports doing the rounds in Indian media that the talismanic batter was rested from the Indian cricket team's tour to the Caribbean. However, Virat Kohli's absence from Team India for the three ODIs and five T20Is against West Indies, especially at a time when he's undergoing an extended lean patch with the bat has led to speculations about whether he was dropped or rested. But ex-Pakistan captain Rashid Latif doesn't believe that Virat Kohli has been dropped. The controversial figure from Pakistan even went as far as to say that no Indian selector had the guts to drop Virat Kohli from the Indian team.
“India mein wo selector paida nahi hua hai jo Virat (Kohli) ko drop kar sake (no selector in India can drop Virat Kohli),” Rashid Latif said during a conversation with the YouTube channel ‘Caught Behind.'
Rashid Latif even hinted at Virat Kohli being targeted because his overall record, particularly in limited-overs cricket wasn't that bat. The Delhi-born batter still averages around 40 in ODIs since the 2019 World Cup.
“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?” Rashid Latif added.
Just like the legendary Sunil Gavaskar had earlier revealed a technical flaw in Virat Kohli's batting, Rashid Latif too mentioned that the Delhi-born star's frailties outside the off-stump were proving to be the biggest obstacle in his quest to find his form back.
“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. 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,” Rashid Latif pointed out.
Besides Rashid Latif, current Pakistan captain Babar Azam also came out in support of Virat Kohli on Friday after the Indian batter got out for 16 in the second ODI against England at Lord's.
“This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli,” Babar Azam wrote on Twitter.
Later the Lahore-born cricketer explained the rationale behind his post.
The Pakistan cricket star said the main reason behind his tweet was to support Virat Kohli, who remains one of the best players in the world despite his ongoing lean patch with the bat.
“As a player myself, I know you can go through such a phase (out of form) and I also know what a player goes through in such a phase. In those times, you need support. I just tweeted thinking that it will give just some support. He is one of the best players,” Babar Azam said during a press conference on the eve of Pakistan’s first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle.
“He is playing a lot of cricket and he knows how to come out of these situations. It takes time, if you back players, it will be really good,” Babar Azam added.
Babar Azam’s words of encouragement for Virat Kohli came after he lost his wicket to England pacer David Willey for a low score at the home of cricket on Thursday.
Virat Kohli looked good till he was there at the crease at the iconic venue as he struck a couple of beautiful boundaries but couldn’t prolong his stay as he fell for 16 after being caught behind off the bowling of David Willey during the second ODI between England and India in London.
The opportunity was there for Virat Kohli to end his long wait for an international century after Team India lost skipper Rohit Sharma for zero early in their essay.
But as is often the case with Virat Kohli, he poked at a wide off-stump delivery only to offer an easy catch to wicketkeeper and England captain Jos Buttler at the historic ground in the British capital.
Virat Kohli will be back in India colors on Sunday when the Men in Blue will battle the Three Lions for a series triumph at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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