Pakistan captain Babar Azam has come out in support of next generation talent Virat Kohli following the latter’s slump in form.
Missing the first ODI against England with a groin injury, Kohli made just 16 in the second match, which India lost by 100 runs at Lord’s.
It means the right-hander has now gone 77 consecutive internationals without reaching three figures, following scores of 1 and 11 in the T20I series and failures in the rescheduled fifth Test.
India’s T20I squad to face the West Indies is also missing his name, with Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal rested for the same tournament.
With a T20 World Cup around the corner and World Test Championship points needed to stay in contention for next year’s finals, Kohli’s place in the team has been pondered by fans and former legends, although his Pakistani counterpart has given his support through social media. .
Few understand the difficulties of maintaining world-class form like the Pakistan captain, who in comparison is currently in purple.
Having made international centuries in the recent series against Australia and the West Indies, as well as a T20I half-century against Australia in Lahore last month, Babar tops the list in the MRF ICC rubber rankings for ODIs and T20Is, and fourth in Tests the cricket.
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During the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2016, Mohali played host to a Virat Kohli masterclass.
Earlier in the week, Kohli also found support from captain Rohit Sharma, who came to his teammate’s defense ahead of the England ODIs.
“When someone scores consistently for so long, we can’t overlook his contribution if he doesn’t score in a series or two or a year or two.
“We know the importance of Virat Kohli. Experts have the right to talk about it, but for us these things don’t matter,” he added.
