Former Indian skipper and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has backed under-fire Virat Kohli to make a comeback. Kohli has been going through a lean patch in his career, for the last couple of years. To make things worse, he suffered a groin injury during the third T20I against England and was ruled out of the first ODI match against the hosts on Tuesday.
The veteran batter’s last international century came against Bangladesh in 2019. In the recently concluded T20I series against England, he managed just 12 runs in two innings. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 around the corner, some experts have raised questions about Kohli’s spot in the Indian T20I team. However, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has backed the former Indian skipper.
Speaking to ANI, Ganguly expressed that Virat Kohli’s stats in International cricket are proof that he has the ability and the quality to do well at this level. He added that the 33-year-old needs to find his way back to form soon. Sourav Ganguly said,
“Of course, look at the numbers he has got in international cricket that doesn’t happen without ability and quality. Yes, he has had a tough time and he knows that. He has been a great player himself. He himself knows by his own standards it has not been good and I see him coming back and doing well. But he has got to find his way and become successful, which he has been for the last 12-13 years or more and only Virat Kohli can do that.”
Ganguly (in ANI) said "Virat Kohli has set a big standard, I see him coming back and doing well – look at the numbers of Virat, it won't happen without ability & quality".
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 14, 2022
Going through a bad patch is a part and parcel of sport: Sourav Ganguly
Virat Kohli has had a tough time in his career in the last couple of years, failing to put up a big score. His form has drawn criticism from some former cricketers. However, Sourav Ganguly has defended Kohli by pointing out that every player goes through such times in their career.
“These things will happen in sport. It has happened to everybody. It has happened to Sachin (Tendulkar), It has happened to Rahul (Dravid), it has happened to me, it has happened to (Virat) Kohli, and is going to happen to future players. That’s part and parcel of sport and I think as a sportsman you just need to listen, be aware of what it is and just go and play your game,” said Ganguly.
It is still not clear if Virat Kohli will be available for the remaining two ODI matches against England. He has been rested for the following ODI series against West Indies.
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