IND vs ZIM: Virat Kohli Could Have Found His Form In ODI Series Before Asia Cup – Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria slammed BCCI for not including senior Indian batter Virat Kohli in the short tour of Zimbabwe. 

 On Saturday, the BCCI announced a 15-member squad for three One-Day Internationals against Zimbabwe next month. Opening batter Shikhar Dhawan, who recently led the team in the West Indies ODI series, will once again don the captain’s armband. 

It is an injustice to Virat Kohli: Danish Kaneria

Kohli, who has opted out from the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies, was not part of the ODI squad against Zimbabwe. 

According to a report by news agency PTI, Kohli informed the selectors that he will be available from the Asia Cup 2022, starting on August 27. 

Kohli is going through a lean patch with the runs over the last few months, he failed to go past 20-run mark in the England tour in six innings across formats. 

“Virat Kohli should have played in this series. Does BCCI think that he should only feature in major tournaments? But if he fails there, then once again there would be talks about his lack of form. I think that is an injustice for Virat Kohli,” Kaneria said on his YouTube channel. 

“You have to be very clear with how you want to handle him. While he was rested for the entire West Indies tour, he surely should have been there for the Zimbabwe series. He could have found his form in the 50-over games and then played the Asia Cup. But it seems now that he might be dropped for the Asia Cup as well,” he added. 

India shouldn’t have picked Ishan Kishan: Danish Kaneria

Kaneria said wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan could have been rested instead of Kohli and that would give Sanju Samson absolute freedom to play in the series. 

“India shouldn’t have picked Ishan Kishan in the side as Sanju Samson would then have gotten to play all three ODIs without any extra pressure. Instead of Kishan, Virat Kohli should have been in the squad,” he said. 

“The management could have assessed his form in these games. He didn’t rest during the IPL, but now that international cricket is happening, he has been asked to rest,” he added. 

India will commence the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe on August 18 at the Harare Sports Club. 

Also Read: IND vs ZIM: Virat Kohli Informed Selectors That He Would Be Available From Asia Cup- Reports