Out-of-form India cricket star Virat Kohli replied to Pakistan skipper Babar Azam's heartwarming tweet on Saturday. The Lahore-born cricketer had come out in support of the former India captain following his outing of 16 runs in the second game of the three-match ODI series against England at the home of cricket, the Lord's on Thursday. Babar Azam's post on social media which took the internet by storm came amid mounting criticism of Virat Kohli, with several former Indian cricketers calling for his ouster from the national team. On the other hand, ex-Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi had said that Virat Kohli will not respond to Babar Azam's tweet because he didn't want to upset the Board of Control for Cricket in India or BCCI's top bosses, an apparent dig at Jay Shah, the son of the country's home minister Amit Shah. However, Virat Kohli proved Shahid Afridi wrong as he gave a classy reply to Babar Azam's words of encouragement.
Virat Kohli returned to India playing XI's after missing the first ODI at the Kennington Oval and started his knock in style, hitting a couple of gorgeous boundaries on Thursday. But just when the Indian fans were thinking that it could be the day when he will end his long wait for a 71st hundred, Virat Kohli was back in the hut after losing his wicket to a reckless shot.
As has been the case with Virat Kohli in recent times, the 33-year-old chased a wide delivery from England pacer David Willey that was bowled way outside the off-stump and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler did the rest.
According to ESPNCricinfo, more than 84 percent of Virat Kohli’s dismissals since 2019 have been on balls bowled outside the off-stump.
Earlier, India’s great Sunil Gavaskar had pointed out the same flaw in Virat Kohli’s batting technique. Even ex-England captain Michael Vaughan had claimed that the only way the Delhi-born cricketer could be back in his elements was to tighten the noose around his off-side play.
But he didn’t pay any heed to their suggestions and once again played at a ball that he could have easily left alone. On the other hand, David Willey did well to lay the trap, and Virat Kohli eventually fell for it at Lord’s.
Minutes after Virat Kohli's dismissal, Babar Azam wrote on Twitter, “This too shall pass. Stay strong. #ViratKohli.” Babar Azam's tweet became an instant hit on the micro-blogging platform with numerous former cricketers from around the world praising him for his gesture.
Two days after Babar Azam's tweet, Virat Kohli responded to his message, writing, “Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best.”
Thank you. Keep shining and rising. Wish you all the best 👏
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) July 16, 2022
Babar Azam later explained the rationale behind his post.
“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 in Galle where Pakistan and Sri Lanka are taking on each other in the first Test.
“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.
Before Virat Kohli's reaction to Babar Azam's tweet, Pakistan's former star all-rounder Shahid Afridi had slammed the Indian batter for not responding to the 27-year-old's message on Twitter.
Accusing Virat Kohli of having no courtesy, Shahid Afridi claimed that throughout the day he waited for the Delhi-born cricketer’s reply to Babar Azam’s tweet but to no avail.
Shahid Afridi even insisted that Virat Kohli will never respond to Babar Azam’s Twitter post because he wasn’t brave enough to go against the sentiments of the public at large in India.
“Be it cricket or any other sport, it improves relations (between countries). Athletes can do a much better job at it than politicians and a number of them are doing the same,” Shahid Afridi told SAMAA TV.
“Babar has given across an incredible message. I don’t know if there has been a response from the other side. I think Virat should have responded by now. It would be a very big thing if there is a response to Babar’s tweet, but I don’t think that is going to happen,” Shahid Afridi added.
But Virat Kohli proved the controversial ex-Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi completely wrong and once again showed the world that he was a thorough gentleman off the field and knew how to respect his biggest rivals.
Virat Kohli often comes across as brash, egoist, and an aggressor on the field. He has been regularly criticized for his on-field behavior, most recently for his confrontation with Jonny Bairstow in the Edgbaston Test earlier this month.
Virat Kohli will be back in India colors on Sunday when the Men in Blue will battle the Three Lions for the series at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Follow Us
Subscribe