Virat Kohli’s extended run of the poor form has become the talk of the town. The Indian batting superstar is currently swimming through the heavy waters. Meanwhile, his form in the ongoing series against England hasn’t done any help either. With each failure, the pressure is now adding on the run machine and also on the Indian national selectors as the T20 World Cup is approaching fast. The former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has now talked about Virat Kohli’s form saying the form should be paramount while picking a team for the T20 World Cup.
However, the left-arm chinaman also added that a player of Virat Kohli’s quality is too good to be kept out. For a decade, Virat Kohli has been India’s best batter across the formats. However, the former Indian skipper is currently going through the most difficult run of his career. Hogg opined that the Men in Blue should stick with Kohli because of the stability he adds to the Indian batting line-up.
“India have to make tough decisions” – Brad Hogg
The former Aussie chinaman replied to Sportskeeda’s query during the media interaction featuring Western Australia tourism.
“On the selection space, I have got my opinion and it’s the same with the Australian team. You pick your best XI for the T20 team,” said the former Australian spinner.
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“The game has been more aggressive. You’re scoring at higher rates and taking on the bowling. So sometimes you need to make tough decisions. But you still need that batter to bat through the innings,” Hogg further added.
The skipper Rohit Sharma alongside the stylish KL Rahul is expected to open the batting for Team India in the T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, the team management is also exploring the option of having a left-hand-right-hand combination at the top by trying the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant at the top. Meanwhile, the Aussie spinner wants Virat Kohli at the top so that he could take full advantage of the field restrictions in the first six overs.
“I think Virat Kohli is best at the top of the order where the field is up and he has got that timing to pierce the field and get his run rate up. So there are a few decisions that India has to make,” said Brad Hogg.
Hogg also put his views forward on the reasons behind Virat Kohli’s slump in the form. He cited his issues with the BCCI and his removal from the captaincy could have triggered a downfall in his form.
“Look, he has been under pressure in the last couple of years with the restrictions that the players have had to lead all three formats. I think there was a bit of pressure from the hierarchies too with him captaining all three formats as well. So, that would have been playing on his mind,” stated Brad Hogg.
He further talked about how professional life issues alongside massive changes in his personal life could be the reason. Virat Kohli became the father last year and Hogg reckons that going through so many responsibilities and changes in his personal life might have unsettled him.
“He has had new additions to his family. So there have been lots of changes to Virat’s world. So I just want him to be back at his best because when he is at his best, it’s great to watch,” concluded Brad Hogg.