My Thinking Is That If Anybody Is Not Doing Well, He Can Be Rested Or Dropped: Kapil Dev On Virat Kohli's Absence From The T20I Squad Against The West Indies

Legendary India player Kapil Dev has chimed in on India’s T20I team for the West Indies, whose ‘if Ashwin can be dropped from Test matches, so can Virat Kohli from T20Is’ comment provoked a widespread reaction from many former and present cricketers including India captain Rohit Sharma.

The squad of 18 for the West Indies T20I series announced on Thursday does not include Virat Kohli or Jasprit Bumrah. The BCCI provided no explanation for their absence, however different media sources stated that both senior players had been rested. Kapil, on the other hand, had a different perspective.

I Want Virat Kohli To Get Back In Form: Kapil Dev

“I can’t say a big player like Virat Kohli should be dropped. He is a very big player. If you have said that he has been rested to give him respect then there’s no harm in that,” the 1983 World Cup-winning captain told ABP News.

“The most important part is how to bring such a player back in form? He’s not an ordinary cricketer. He should get more practice and play more matches to get his form back.

“I don’t think there’s any player in this world who is bigger than Kohli in the T20s but when you are not doing well, the selectors can take their call. My thinking is that if anybody is not doing well then he can be rested or dropped,” Kapil added.

“It’s not like India haven’t played without Virat in the last five to six years, but I want such a player to be back in form. Yes, he’s been dropped or rested but there’s still a lot of cricket left in him. And he has to create the path for that. Maybe play Ranji Trophy or score runs anywhere,” Kapil further said.

Kohli will most probably be seen next in the Asia Cup after the ODIs against England.

Also Read: IND vs WI: The BCCI Wanted A Full-Strength Team For The West Indies T20Is, But Virat Kohli Insisted For Rest – Reports