Virat Kohli Shoaib Akhtar: Ahead of the third ODI between India and Australia, Legendary fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has made another statement about the talismanic batter of team India. Former Pakistani pacer advised Virat Kohli to stop playing T20 cricket as it is draining his energy. Akhtar also advised Kohli to focus more on ODIs and Test cricket. Earlier, Akhtar had backed Virat Kohli to break Sachin Tendulkar’s world record. Follow India vs Australia ODI Live Updates with Insidesport.IN
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared interesting advice for run-machine Virat Kohli. Akhtar stated that the former India skipper should stick only to the Test and ODI format and forget about the T20Is as the shortest format is draining him out.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Advice to Virat Kohli
“As a cricketer, if you ask me, I feel he should stop playing T20Is and stick with only Test and ODI formats. T20I unki energy bahot nikaal deta hai (T20I format drains a lot of his energy). He is a very excited kind of character. Virat wants to be out there, he wants to look good. He wants to have a good time in T20Is. He likes it. But at times, he needs to save his body. How old is he right now? 34 right? Easily he can play for about 6 to 8 years. If he plays 30-50 more Test matches, I’m sure it won’t be difficult for him to score 25 centuries in those Test matches,” said Akhtar.
“However, it will still be a daunting task for him in terms of fitness and mental health. Luckily, he is a strong guy, he is a Punjabi guy. It’s great that he is in a good frame of mind. He is concentrating and having a good time with his cricket. So he should remain focused and cross the 100-century barrier. And India will reserve high praise for him. And all these trash talks about Babar Azam and Virat Kohli – these are great players. Who is bigger than Kohli or Babar in Asia? No one. So all these loose talks are done just to grab attention,” he added.
Virat Kohli Ended his Test century Drought
Recently, Virat Kohli ended his century in the longest format of the game. He smashed a ton against Australia in the fourth and final Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Ahmedabad. This century turned out to be a special one as Kohli had last hit the triple figures in Tests back in November 2019 against Bangladesh. It was Kohli’s 28th Test ton and 75th international ton.
Currently, team India and Australia are playing a three-match ODI series. As a result of the visitors’ dominating 10-wicket victory in the second game, the series is currently tied at one game each. The third and final ODI will be played in Chennai, on Wednesday, March 22.
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