ENG vs IND: If Virat Kohli Isn't Performing, You Can't Keep Performing Youngsters Out Of The Team - Kapil Dev
Former Indian captain Kapil Dev believes that Virat Kohli can be dropped from the T20I side similar to Ravichandran Ashwin being removed from the Test team.
Additionally, he felt that the young guns in the side performing well deserve to be given opportunities over Kohli, who has been poor across formats for a while now.
“Yes, now the situation is such that you might be forced to bench Kohli from T20 playing eleven. If world No. 2 bowler Ashwin can be dropped from Test side then (once upon a time) world No. 1 batter can also be dropped.”
“Virat is not batting at a level which we have seen him do over the years. He has made a name because of his performances but if he isn’t performing, then you can’t keep the performing youngsters out of the team,” Kapil told ABP news.
“I want competition for places in team in a positive sense” – Kapil Dev
Kapil believes there should be healthy competition in the team and Kohli’s stature shouldn’t be part of the criteria for being selected. This will make the youngsters believe in themselves and elevate their confidence to a greater level.
“I want competition for places in team in a positive sense that these youngsters should try and outperform Virat. You can call it rest and someone else will call it dropped. Every person will have his own view. Obviously, if selectors don’t pick him (Kohli), then it could be because a big player isn’t performing.”
“Play in-form players when you have loads of options. You can’t just go by reputation but you have to look for current form. You can be an established player but that doesn’t mean that you will be given chances even if you fail five games in a row,” he concluded.
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