T20 World Cup 2021: If Virat Kohli Gets Criticism For Losses, Then He Deserves Credit For Wins As Well - Ajit Agarkar

Former India seamer Ajit Agarkar opined that Virat Kohli should be given a lot of credit for India’s thumping 66-run victory over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday as the Men In  Blue opened their account in the Super 12.

Ajit Agarkar was asked if there were shades of MS Dhoni’s nous in Kohli’s captaincy against Afghanistan. The former seamer asserted that all credit should go to the current captain; he also highlighted how Kohli is at the receiving end when India don’t do well.

“Kohli has been the captain for a long time now and he has his own style. If he gets criticism for losses, then he deserves credit for wins as well. It was his captaincy. The batters set up the match today and then Virat did his job as leader. So full credit to him,” Ajit Agarkar told ESPNcricinfo.

Kohli sat in the dugout wearing his helmet for the entirety of India’s innings as Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya were promoted after a 140-run opening stand between KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.

I think Varun Chakravarthy did not bowl badly in the first two matches: Ajit Agarkar

Ajit Agarkar defended Varun Chakravarthy’s performance after R Ashwin made a brilliant display. Chakravarthy was forced out of the game due to a calf niggle. After four years, Ashwin returned to the T20I side and picked a couple of wickets for just 14 runs in his 4 overs.

Ajit Agarkar observed that Chakravarthy did not bowl badly in his two games – though he did go wicketless – pointing out that the batters didn’t give enough runs on the board.

“I think Varun Chakravarthy did not bowl badly in the first two matches. It was the batting that was poor. If India wanted to play six bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin could have come into the team earlier. But since India were already playing a finger spinner in Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakravarthy was the right choice,” the 43-year-old added.

India now have opened their account in the tournament. They would need to win their remaining two matches in a similar fashion and hope for other results to go their way. They will next meet Scotland in Dubai on Friday.

Also Read: When Rohit Sharma Does Not Make Runs, India Does Not Do Well: Aakash Chopra