Former Indian batsman Mohammad Kaif has said that there is a lack of clarity in the Indian team when it comes to selection. He also said that no one is guaranteed a spot under Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
Kaif said that players are selected on recent form and past performances are not given weightage while picking the team under the current leadership. He said that earlier, players were given more backing, but that is “not how Kohli plays”.
You’re talking about an ICC trophy but he hasn't even won an IPL yet. I feel that he needs to be given some time: Suresh Raina on Virat Kohli Captaincy
— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) July 14, 2021
“There is no clarity in this Indian team and we need to accept it. Virat Kohli doesn’t play this way. He sees who is the most in-form player and picks him in the XI,” Kaif said.
“This is Kohli’s way. At the end of the day you need to judge how many trophies he has won as a captain and he hasn’t been able to win an ICC trophy. This team and this management do not give as much importance to past performance. Virat Kohli focuses on what form you are in at the current point,” he added.
“This is why Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan got opportunities. This is why Shikhar Dhawan missed a few games, Rohit Sharma was rested.”
Sourav Ganguly backed his players-Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif compared Kohli’s captaincy style to former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. He said that Sourav Ganguly used to back all his players.
“Ganguly would keep backing his players, which is the classic way of handling things,” Kaif said of the current BCCI president’s captaincy style. “That’s what a leader does. But this isn’t Kohli’s way.”
“No one’s place is fixed in this team and even the players know that. This is an old discussion now, and even the players have moved on now and have decided this is the way to go,” Kaif concluded.
India will be seen in action under Virat Kohli against England for a five-match Test series starting August 4th.