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Virat Kohli’s lean patch is getting elongated with every inning he is playing. The batter who once used to score centuries for fun has not scored a hundred in almost three years now. Kohli’s performance is only dipping and also grabbing a lot of attention. With the Men’s T20 World Cup around the corner and India looking to break the ICC title jinx, many have also questioned Kohli’s place in the Indian T20I squad.
Former India captained Kapil Dev also put forth the idea of dropping Kohli from the team citing the example of R Ashwin. However, there have been many who have also come in support of the star batter saying he is ‘too good to be dropped’ even with a slump in form. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has also echoed a similar thought as he hit back at Kohli’s critics.
Akhtar reacted to Kapil Dev’s comment and said that he respects the legendary cricketer’s opinion and also emphasized that only a player of his stature can question Kohli. The 46-year-old also questioned the entire idea of dropping Kohli saying “he (Kohli) has 70 hundreds which haven’t come playing in his aunt’s backyard or candy crush”.
"Kapil Dev is my senior and he has an opinion and it is fine to have an opinion. If Kapil Dev says, you still understand as he is a great cricketer. He has the right to air his opinion," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.
"But, as a Pakistani, why am I supporting Kohli? Well, he has 70 hundreds. Woh 70 sau khaala ke ghar mein ya candy crush khelte huye nahi banein hain. (Those 70 tons were not scored in his aunt's backyard or while playing Candy Crush)."
The former Pakistan pacer further said that how can any imagine dropping Kohli. "How did you even imagine in your wildest dreams that Kohli can be dropped from the Indian team?" questioned Akhtar. The 46-year-old also advised Kohli to forget that he was ever a captain and should only focus on his batting. Akhtar opined that all the criticism directed at Kohli will make him even bigger.