ICC T20 WC SQUAD – Selectors want Virat Kohli to tour Zimbabwe? On break from cricket for a month, Virat Kohli may have to return to cricket earlier than expected. The struggling India batter skipped the IND vs WI series but the selectors want him to return to cricket sooner than expected. As per selectors, they want Kohli to play in the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe to “regain form” before Asia Cup 2022 and more importantly, T20 World Cup 2022. However, a decision will be taken only close to the series. Follow India Tour of Zimbabwe LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Hopefully, the break allows him to rejuvenate mentally and get his form back. But without any competitive cricket, it will be difficult and that is why we want him to play against Zimbabwe. It’s his preferred format and will help him regain his form before the Asia Cup. We will take a final decision close to the selection,” a member of the selection committee told InsideSport.
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ICC T20 WC SQUAD: Big Development on Virat Kohli, ‘selectors want Kohli to play India vs Zimbabwe series to regain form’: CHECK OUT
BCCI is expected to send a second-string ODI side to Zimbabwe, resting all senior players. Shikhar Dhawan is expected to lead the side in Zimbabwe. But the dilemma is that the three-match series will immediately be followed up by the Asia Cup 2022 which is expected to be played in UAE instead of Sri Lanka. The Zimbabwe ODI series starts on August 18.
ICC T20 WC SQUAD: A month of break, how will it help King Kohli?
- While not everyone is happy with the idea of Kohli taking a break during his poor form, it could help him as it did to Hardik Pandya.
- Hardik Pandya took a five-month break and returned fresh brimming with confidence and form.
- Kohli cannot afford a five-month break with T20 World Cup 2022 just three months away.
- Instead, he has decided to skip the West Indies tour and spend some time away from cricket with his family in London.
- He has moved to an undisclosed location in London and take a complete break.
- His mother and extended family will join him.
- He will resume practice on August 1 to prepare for Asia Cup 2022 in Sri Lanka.
- But the selectors want him to begin preparation for the Zimbabwe Tour as it could help him get that knock that will give him the confidence he needs.
- As selectors have already stated that Virat Kohli will be dropped from T20 squad if he does not get his form back by T20 World Cup, King Kohli’s time is running out.
ICC T20 WC SQUAD: Big Development on Virat Kohli, ‘selectors want Kohli to play India vs Zimbabwe series to regain form’: CHECK OUT
Virat Kohli’s Test average is currently at 49.53, in T20s, it has plummeted to 50.12 and is just one poor knock away from going below 50. But in ODIs, Kohli still has a healthy average of 57.68. Despite Babar Azam’s resurgence, Virat Kohli is the real King of ODI cricket with 12,344 runs and 43 centuries in 260 games.
Although Kohli has failed to perform in both matches against England, his game suits the format the best and could reignite his form. Zimbabwe could just be his best resort. Zimbabwe’s bowling attack isn’t world-class and the knock Kohli is searching for could be coming. Even an out of form Sourav Ganguly toured Zimbabwe and got a century and Kohli can take a cue from that.
ICC T20 WC SQUAD: Big Development on Virat Kohli, ‘selectors want Kohli to play India vs Zimbabwe series to regain form’: CHECK OUT
India Tour of Zimbabwe Schedule:
August 18: IND vs ZIM 1st ODI at Harare
August 18: IND vs ZIM 2nd ODI at Harare
August 18: IND vs ZIM 3rd ODI at Harare
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