India vs Pakistan: Aakash Chopra Believes That Virat Kohli's Presence No Longer Strikes Fear In Bowlers

Aakash Chopra, a former India opener, claimed that the discussion around Virat Kohli’s form is no longer focused on the fact that he has yet to score his 71st century in international cricket but rather on his prolonged dry spell across all game formats.

Chopra stated that the narrative has reached a worrying point for India, particularly in the run-up to the T20 World Cup, which begins on October 16 in Australia.

Virat Kohli has been having a difficult time in international cricket. Kohli has 175 runs in 8 ODIs in 2022, 220 runs at 31.42 in 4 Tests, and 81 runs in 4 T20Is during the World Cup year.

After a brief return following the IPL 2022, the former skipper was anticipated to rediscover form when he toured England. Kohli, on the other hand, struggled to get going in England, failing in the rescheduled Test as well as the four limited-overs contests.

With his status in the T20I team under question, Kohli decided to skip the West Indies and Zimbabwe tours. However, the selection committee and team management have placed their trust in him, selecting him for the Asia Cup 2022, which begins in August.

He still is regarded as one of the greatest to have played the game: Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra stated that it is increasingly clear that Virat Kohli is not the same player he was three years ago, adding that the ‘aura of invincibility has vanished and the bowlers no longer fear the former India captain’s presence in the middle.

“There is no dispute about Virat Kohli’s class and abilities, and even if he does not score another run in international cricket from now on, he will be considered as one of the game’s all-time greats. A man who performed superhuman feats and mastered all three formats like few others, “Aakash Chopra wrote in his Colum for ESPNCricinfo.

“Still, there is no getting around the fact that the bat that used to work like a magic wand is no longer obeying his commands. There are more hits than misses. His aura of invincibility has dissipated, and his presence no longer inspires the same terror in bowlers’ heads as it once did “Aakash Chopra continued.

As Kohli prepares to play again in a crucial match against Pakistan in Dubai on August 28, he will be under a significant amount of pressure.

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