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INDIA’S star cricketer Virat Kohli has been one of the most consistent players across formats over the last decade or so.
However, his recent slump in form has become a hot topic of debate with several current and former cricketers have voiced their opinions on the Kohli’s recent struggles.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held later this year, questions have been raised over his spot in the Indian team.
However, Zimbabwe batter Sikandar Raza has backed Kohli amid criticism.
“As much as cricket was all about fitness and xyz, the way he took that part forward for the younger generations to follow, I think that is commendable and people should give him enough credit for that.
“I feel like he is the ultimate all-format player and that has nothing to do with stats, what he has achieved, what he is going through, and what is he going to achieve; I am just speaking in general,” Raza told Anis Sajan on his YouTube channel.
The Pakistan-born cricketer also urged the cricketing fraternity not to comment about the 33-year-old batter’s form.
“I don’t think I am knowledgeable enough or experienced enough to give a guy advice who has over 20 000 career runs. What do I tell him? I can’t tell him anything. If anything, I can stay silent and also reckon people to do the same and let the guy live in peace. Just leave him alone and hopefully he will soon find his feet,” he added.
India have played against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe 13 times since their maiden tour in 1992. Zimbabwe have managed to win only two of those series across formats while India remain unbeaten since 2001.
Before the Asia Cup in the UAE, Indian team will have “a small assignment in Zimbabwe”, where the KL Rahul-led side will play a three-match ODI series against the hosts.
This will be India’s first-ever tour of Zimbabwe since 2016, when they had travelled to the southern African nation for a three-match T20I series.
India have been a dominant side across formats and are heading into series on the back of a ODI series whitewash against West Indies and 4-1 T20I series win as well against Nicholas Pooran’s men, despite playing a second-string side.
Yet Zimbabwe batter Innocent Kaia is confident of the hosts nation pulling off a major upset against India.
India have played against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe 13 times since their maiden tour in 1992.
Zimbabwe have managed to win only two of those series across formats while India remain unbeaten since 2001, winning six times while two ended in a draw. India win includes three back-to-back ODI series whitewash in 2013, 2015 and 2016, two T20I series win and one in Tests.
Despite the lopsided rivalry in the last 21 years, Kaia, in an interview with Times Now, confidently predicted a 2-1 ODI series win for Zimbabwe. He also admitted that he aims to emerge as the highest scorer in the series and notch up centuries.
“2-1 in favour of Zimbabwe. We win the series. As for personal expectations, I want to be the leading run scorer and score hundreds. Simple plan. I just want to score runs to be the leading run scorer in the series. That’s my goal,” he said.
Zimbabwe are heading into the series on the back of an identical margin of 2-1 series win against Bangladesh in T20Is and ODIs. However, it has been their first major win at home since their 2-1 win against Ireland in an ODI contest back in 2015/16. — Agencies
Online Reporter