Irfan Pathan Critiques Virat Kohli’s Performance: A Call for Change
In recent discussions, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has raised eyebrows regarding Virat Kohli’s batting performance since 2020. Despite being one of cricket’s modern legends, Kohli’s statistics have sparked debates about his place in the team. Pathan pointed out that Kohli scored a mere 190 runs in nine innings during the recent five-Test series in Australia, averaging a disappointing 23.75.
Technical Flaws and Team Culture
Pathan emphasized the importance of addressing Kohli’s technical flaws, mentioning that even greats like Sachin Tendulkar continued playing domestic cricket to refine their skills. “When was the last time Virat played domestic cricket? It’s been 12 years. This lack of match practice could be affecting his performance,” he remarked.
Highlighting Kohli’s overall Test statistics since 2020, he noted that Kohli has averaged just 30.72 with only three centuries in 39 matches. “In 2024, Kohli averages just 15 in first innings. Shouldn’t we consider giving youngsters a chance?” Pathan questioned, pointing out that even a young player could achieve a similar average with consistent opportunities.
The Need for Improvement
While acknowledging Kohli’s remarkable achievements, including 81 international centuries, Pathan stressed that the Indian team needs players who can consistently perform at their best. “It’s about the team, not individuals. Kohli is making the same mistakes repeatedly, and that’s unacceptable at this level,” he stated.
Pathan also encouraged current players to seek guidance from legends like Sunil Gavaskar, who could provide valuable insights to help refine their techniques. “Improving mistakes requires hard work, which we aren’t seeing from Kohli,” he concluded.
As cricket enthusiasts, we hope to see Kohli return to form, benefiting both himself and the Indian team. For the latest updates on cricket and more, visit Looffers.com.
