New Delhi, Aug 10 : Former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene believes that the talismanic India batter Virat Kohli has the right tools to emerge of an extended slump in form. The following day, Kohli, along with fellow batter KL Rahul returned to India’s T20I team to play in the Asia Cup, starting from August 27 in the UAE.Kohli is in an extended period of low-scoring and has not scored 100 runs in international cricket since the beginning of November of 2019.
He is back in the team after last playing in India’s tour of England in July.
He was not playing in the white-ball tour of West Indies and the coming ODIs against Zimbabwe.
Kohli has also been a bit short of T20I match training after the 2021 World Cup, playing just four games, two of them against the West Indies at home and two against England.
He did not have a great IPL 2022, scoring just two half-centuries, and an average of 341 runs in 16 innings played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
“It is unfortunate to see what Virat is experiencing in the moment, however he is a top player.
I believe that Virat has the ability to get out of it (the form slump).He has been there in the past, too, and I’m confident he’ll make it through this.
Form is permanent, and class is only temporary,” said Jayawardene in the most recent episode of The ICC Review show.
Apart from Kohli Rahul’s return to the field will draw a lot of attention from Indian fans.
Rahul have been absent of action since he took part in IPL 2022 in May.A groin injury forced Rahul out of the T20I series against South Africa at home in June.He was then treated for a sports hernia operation in Germany which ruled him out of England tour.
Rahul was expected to return for India’s T20I series against West Indies, but a positive Covid-19 test prior to the start of the tour resulted in he was not scheduled in the tour to the Caribbean and ODIs against Zimbabwe.
Jayawardene is concerned that Rahul’s inexperience of professional cricket could hinder him in the Asia Cup.
“That (Rahul’s inability of cricket) is a worry for India.He has been absent for a short time since the IPL and therefore getting some playing time is important, particularly in the middle.The quicker he gets some playing time and gain the feeling of confidence, is going to benefit him and the national team.”
Jayawardene believed that If Rahul does not perform well as an opener in the Asia Cup, India can return to the batting with Rishabh Pant who was the opener two times in T20Is against England in July.”Even even though he (Pant) hasn’t been able to do that (open the bat) often in local cricket, he has the capacity to do it.Whatever place he bats it, you’re not likely to alter his game.He is naturally gifted, so it’s an alternative (for Pant to open).”
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