NEWS
Follow UsIrfan Pathan dug into Virat Kohli’s technical issues and adamant attitude towards not playing domestic cricket. Neither Rohit Sharma nor Kohli appeared in the Duleep Trophy despite being poorly out of form.
The Indian team were clean sweeped at home by New Zealand and then lost the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 1-3 after that.
"Many players had the opportunity to play domestic cricket, but they did not play. Why is that happening? Because the culture has changed,” Pathan lamented.
“We have to change the culture. We have to improve things for Indian cricket as a team. Tell me, when was the last time Virat Kohli played domestic cricket? When did it happen? Even the great Sachin Tendulkar played Ranji Trophy even when it wasn't required of him, only because he wanted to spend that much time-four or five days-on the pitch" Pathan said on Star Sports.
He didn’t just stop there. He also questioned Kohli’s place in the side and asked for a youngster to replace the veteran batter who’s been out of form for quite some time now.
"For the Indian team in 2024, in the first innings where you basically set up the match, Virat Kohli's average is 15,” Pathan remakes.
“And if you consider his average over the last five years, it's not even 30. Does the Indian team deserve its senior player? Instead, give a youngster a chance. Tell him to get ready. He will also give an average of 25-30. This is about the team, not the individuals. When we talk about Virat Kohli, he has done a lot for India. He has delivered many performances.
“But you are getting out from the same mistake again and again. You are not creating a gap between two mistakes. You are not trying to fix the technical mistake. Sunny Sir is in the field. How long does it take to talk to Sunny Sir or someone?"
