Cricket experts have called for India to drop Virat Kohli from their upcoming England tour following his poor performance in Australia.
The 36-year-old batting superstar has faced mounting criticism after struggling during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Former England cricketer David Lloyd and Australian journalist Jarrod Kimber both suggest Kohli should be omitted from India’s Test squad for the five-match series in England.
Kohli’s form has declined significantly, with the former India captain averaging less than 25 across 10 Tests in 2024.
Virat Kohli had a tough time in Australia
PA
Despite scoring his 30th Test century in the series opener in Perth as India took an early lead, Kohli managed just 85 runs in his next seven innings.
The veteran batsman appeared particularly vulnerable outside off stump, repeatedly edging to fielders as Australia mounted a comeback.
Australia went on to win the series 3-1, securing their place in this summer’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
Kohli’s recent struggles are part of a longer pattern, with the former captain scoring only three hundreds since the start of 2020.
Lloyd, known as ‘Bumble’, drew on his own experience when discussing Kohli’s decline.
“Virat Kohli is 36. He will know he is past his best and that will hurt,” Lloyd told talkSPORT.
JUST IN:Anthony Joshua next opponent identified after Tyson Fury snub
“He knows what he should be doing up there [in his mind] but your reflexes just gently go. Most players hang on and perhaps go on too long.”
The former England coach was direct when asked if Kohli should tour England.
“If you keep nicking off, it’s a tell-tale sign for anybody that your reflexes, your reactions, are gone,” Lloyd said.
When questioned about Kohli’s inclusion for the England tour, he simply responded: “No.”
Virat Kohli’s India only recently won the T20 World Cup
PA
Australian journalist Jarrod Kimber echoed Lloyd’s assessment of Kohli’s Test future.
“I wouldn’t pick him, no,” Kimber said. “He’s been on the decline for a while overall even though he’s been able to produce some good innings.”
Kimber specifically addressed the upcoming England tour.
“I don’t think he can play against England. I thought it was very fair to take him to Australia but other than that hundred in Perth, he didn’t really make another run.”
LATEST SPORT NEWS:
India take on England in the summer and Virat Kohli might find himself out of the picture
PA
“He’s had one good year in his last four or five years now, it’s a long period of time now. With most players, when that decline starts, it doesn’t come back.”
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat marks India’s second consecutive series loss in Test cricket.
The team had previously suffered a surprising 3-0 defeat at home to New Zealand.
These back-to-back series losses have intensified the scrutiny on India’s Test squad selections ahead of their England tour.
+ There are no comments
Add yours