There has been quite a stir regarding Virat Kohli off late. Reports have suggested that the former India skipper can be dropped from Team India squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. However, former India head coach Anil Kumble has backed Kohli. Kumble stated that he is one of the greatest in the modern era across all formats and his aggression on the field gives the team the intensity.
Virat Kohli has been out of action for the last few months. The star batter missed the IND vs ENG Test series owing to the birth of his second child. However, Kohli is expected to be back in India next week to join RCB camp for IPL 2024.
“I would say consistency. I saw him in RCB when I was a part of RCB, that’s where he started his T20 career, after being a U-19 World Cup winner. From there, the transformation in his fitness, the way he wanted to play his cricket, and the performances he put in white-ball cricket,” Anil Kumble told Star Sports.
Virat Kohli last featured for India in the T20I series against Afghanistan. He managed to score 0 and 29 respectively after missing the first game citing personal reasons. Furthermore, the slow conditions in West Indies and USA can be a disadvantage for Kohli. This has prompted several reports to claim that Kohli can miss his spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
“In Test cricket, we know his greatness. In T20s for India, his consistency over a period of time has been immense. The kind of aggression and attitude he brings on to the field help the team gain intensity,” said Kumble.
“I highly regard him as one of the greatest of the modern era, across all three formats. When you have a player of that calibre in your side, it’s crucial that you’re constantly asking him to get the best out of himself,” Kumble concluded.