Virat Kohli Is A Man, Not Machine: Jonty Rhodes Backs Indian Skipper For Batting Form

Former South Africa player Jonty Rhodes said that Indian skipper Virat Kohli wants to score runs and asked his critics to be easy on him. Virat Kohli has been extraordinary for the Indian cricket team since he made his international debut in 2008. Kohli has re-written the record books with his belligerent innings not only in international cricket but also in IPL.

You better believe Virat Kohli wants to score runs: Jonty Rhodes

Kohli is leading India in the ongoing T20 World Cup and will aim to win them the title in what will be his last stint as T20I skipper for India.

Kohli has drawn flak for his inability to score runs up to his potential, and he was also seen struggling against James Anderson& co in the Test series in England.

Rhodes said that Kohli is a human and not a machine, and he should be given his own space to get into his groove.

“We all want Virat Kohli to score runs but he is a man, not a machine. He wears his heart on his sleeve. We’ve seen how he deals with the opposition when he’s batting on the field. He’s always in their face,” Rhodes told TimesofIndia.com.

“He is that kind of player. I think the expectation from him – (we keep saying) – oh we want Virat to score runs, you better believe he wants to score runs. Because he’s a captain who loves to lead from the front. So, I don’t have any advice for him. We all need to be quiet and let Virat do what he does. We’d love to see Virat Kohli perform,” he added.

Jasprit Bumrah is such an important part in the India team: Jonty Rhodes

Rhodes, who was also the fielding coach of IPL franchise Mumbai Indians, pointed out that Jasprit Bumrah will be a key player for Virat Kohli in the Indian camp for the T20 WC.

“You need to be able to control the opposition’s batting. So, Bumrah obviously. He is superb. He is the kind who can bowl and can turn the game on its head. He doesn’t bowl much in the powerplay, maybe one over. He comes and bowls one in the middle and bowls the rest in the death.

“You’ve got to win the death overs in T20 cricket. So, whether you’re batting first in the powerplay or you are chasing or containing in the last four overs of the game, whoever wins the last ball, wins the game. So, it doesn’t really matter what happens in the middle. So, from that perspective, Bumrah is such an important part. But India have so many good seamers around and specialists.

India will play their opening game of the Super 12 stage against Pakistan on Sunday in Duba.

Also Read: There Was No Pressure From Our End – Sourav Ganguly On Virat Kohli’s Decision To Step Down As T20I Skipper