After Kohli secured his 71st international ton after a long drought, Gautam Gambhir passed an “honest” comment. Gambhir said that none of the big names will get this long opportunity. Virat Kohli however is the one who survived.
On Thursday, Indian former captain Virat Kohli ended his drought of century smashing a marvelous 122 n.o. It however came in the Super Fours’ dead match against Afghanistan. However, it was Kohli’s maiden T-20 international century. His century after 1021 days played a vital role for India defeating Afghanistan by 101 runs in Dubai.
Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir, however, was too “honest” with his remarks. He said that it was undoubtedly Kohli who survived this prolonged drought. None, but he could ever manage to get this long opportunity. However, big names hardly matter in the sport.
On 2019’s 23rd November, Kohli got his 70th international century. He scored 136, which led to a pink ball test win against Bangladesh in Kolkata. Thereafter in the 83 innings, across all formats, struggled to touch the three-figure mark. All hopes to see another century, however, gradually started to fade away. However, this year has been a really tough one for Kohli. There were clear signs of him struggling.
Gambhir Credits Past records of Virat Kohli
Kohli however made a terrific comeback in this format. In this edition of the Asia Cup, he smashed two half-centuries. Thereafter came his most awaited 71st international century. Even according to Kohli, it was least expected in this format.
Amidst all the praises, Gambhir had some unique say in this. While speaking to Star Sports, he gave credit to past records of Kohli. He thinks that Kohli’s past performance earned him the backing from the management and the selectors. Gambhir moreover took a few names too who wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity. They are R Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. He said, all these names have been dropped due to poor form or century drought.
While speaking on Kohli, Gambhir said,
“Three years is a very long time. It’s not three months. And I’m not trying to be critical of him but he has earned that just because he has got loads of runs in the past. But I don’t think so that any of the young batters would have survived in international cricket had they not got a hundred in three years.”
“Eventually it had to happen and it happened at the right time as well. You are just approaching the T20 World Cup and he’s got a hundred so he has got the monkey off his back. But let’s be fair and absolutely honest, I don’t think any one in the dressing room would have survived three years without a hundred. People like Ashwin, Rahane, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul have been dropped. I haven’t know one guy who hasn’t been dropped after not having scored a hundred in three years. It is only Virat Kohli and he has earned that.”
Kohli will be there against Australia and SA at home. Thereafter, the team will take off for Down Under for the T20 World Cup.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
