ENG vs IND: If Ashwin can be dropped from Test, why can’t Virat Kohli be dropped from T20Is, says Kapil Dev
ENG vs IND: Former India captain Kapil Dev believes that Virat Kohli is no longer essential in T20Is following his protracted rough patch if a bowler of Ravichandran Ashwin’s calibre who has around 450 Test wickets can be omitted from the Test team’s starting eleven.
Since his last big run was almost three years ago, Kohli has been out of the spotlight. The World Cup-winning all-rounder believes that the management of the Indian team will be doing them a disservice if they don’t allow in-form players enough opportunity to show off their talents.
“Yes, now the situation such that you might forced to bench Kohli from T20 playing eleven. If world No. 2 bowler Ashwin can dropped from Test side then (once upon a time) world No. 1 batter can also dropped,” Kapil told a news channel.
Without any hesitation, Kapil stated that Kohli today appears to be a shadow of his former self.
“Virat is not batting at a level which we have seen him do over the years. He has made a name because of his performances but if he isn’t performing, then you can’t keep the performing youngsters out of the team,” said the legendary cricketer.
He wants to see young players challenge established players for positions in the team in a healthy battle for roster spots.
“I want competition for places in team in a positive sense. That these youngsters should try and outperform Virat,” he said.
If Kohli “rested” for the West Indies T20I, in Kapil’s opinion, he should actually “dropped.”
“You can call it rest and someone else will call it dropped. Every person will have his own view. Obviously, if selectors don’t pick him (Kohli), then it could be because a big player isn’t performing,” he observed.
The starting XI for Kapil should chosen based on recent performance rather than past reputations.
“Play in-form players when you have loads of options,” said Kapil. “You can’t just go by reputation but you have to look for current form. You can an established player but that doesn’t mean that you will given chances. Even if you fail five games in a row,” he concluded.
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