For over a decade, Virat Kohli has been an indomitable force in world cricket, wielding his bat with unmatched finesse and unyielding aggression. Yet, even the mightiest have their lean periods, and Virat was no exception. A three-year hiatus from international centuries raised eyebrows, but the indomitable spirit that defines him saw him not just bounce back but roar back, striking centuries across all formats in the last year.
Akhtar fires at Kohli, Ganguly retaliates
Even though the grey clouds have scattered away from Virat’s form, Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistani speedster, dropped a comment that resonated across the cricketing landscape. “I don’t think he should play more 50-overs matches after this World Cup,” Akhtar opined, suggesting a possible transition for Virat after the ODI World Cup 2023. “He should focus on Test cricket after this World Cup, and break this record,” he added, referring to the milestone of 100 international centuries held by Sachin Tendulkar.
Amid the ripples caused by Akhtar’s words, Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket team skipper and the current BCCI president, stepped into the arena with his signature wit. Responding to a query about Akhtar’s counsel for Virat, Ganguly retorted with a grin, “Virat Kohli should play whatever cricket he wants because he performs.” The subtlety in Ganguly’s response carried a more profound message – the cricketing world knows that Virat’s performance speaks volumes and that his choices on the field stem from his dedication and prowess.
Akhtar takes a dig at Rohit too
But the cricketing discourse didn’t stop at Virat alone. Akhtar’s comments veered towards the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, speculating on India’s prospects in the ODI World Cup. Casting his judgment on Rohit’s captaincy, Akhtar mused, “Make no mistake, Rohit does have the team to win the World Cup. As a batter, he is perhaps more talented than Virat Kohli also.” The praise for Rohit’s batting prowess was evident, punctuated with a dash of scepticism regarding his captaincy abilities.
Akhtar’s words added fuel to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming World Cup, intensifying debates about India’s chances on their home turf. Akhtar, candid as ever, concluded with a challenge, “Let him prove me wrong and all of us wrong, for that’s what all of India will want him to do in this World Cup.”
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