KL Rahul’s rebuttal to critics of Virat Kohli, “His mindset is to win matches for India,” was a masterclass.
KL Rahul’s rebuttal to critics of Virat Kohli, “His mindset is to win matches for India,” was a masterclass. India’s vice-captain KL Rahul said that while the team wants former captain Virat Kohli to get back to his best, they are not too worried about his current form. Kohli has been the main topic of conversation leading up to India’s Asia Cup campaign, which starts on Sunday against India’s biggest rival, Pakistan.
Kohli hasn’t made a hundred in an international game in almost three years. People also say that the Asia Cup could be Kohli’s last chance to prove he belongs on the Indian team before the T20 World Cup since his strike rate in the shortest version of the game has gone down in recent years.
Virat Kolhi – A Star or Liability
Former Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria famously said that India’s captain Virat Kohli had become a “liability” and that a younger player should take his place. “We don’t really give much importance to comments. Everyone has their own opinion but it doesn’t really affect a player, especially a world-class player like Virat will not be affected by what people are saying on the outside,” Rahul said.
Kohli didn’t play in India’s recent three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. He hasn’t played in many games this year. However, Rahul, who hasn’t played since the end of the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) because of an injury, said that he didn’t think Kohli was out of shape.
“He has had a little break and he is working on his game. I was at home watching him on television when I was injured and I didn’t feel like he looked out of form or out of touch. He was batting really well. He has obviously not been able to match up to the standards he himself has set and I am sure he is hungry to come out and win matches for the country. That is something he has always done throughout his career. His mindset has always been to win matches for his country. It was the case when he was captain and it is the same now.””If a player is in that mindset I am sure good things will happen. We all eagerly want Virat to get back to the Virat Kohli form that everybody is talking about (but) we are not worried as the Indian team and I am sure he is not worried. We all want to get some game time. Obviously our main aim is the World Cup. By that time if the batters are in good nick by the World Cup or if the bowlers have played enough matches, they get enough confidence leading up to the tournament. That is our plan and what we will look to do as individuals and as a team,” said Rahul.
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