Virat Kohli's recent struggles in the ODI series against Australia have sparked widespread discussion, with former cricketers and fans alike weighing in on the要因 behind his consecutive ducks. Amidst the chatter, R Ashwin's analysis of Kohli's dismissals has garnered significant attention, particularly his remarks concerning captain Rohit Sharma.
Kohli's rare form slump has seen him register consecutive ducks for the first time in his ODI career. In the first ODI in Perth, he was dismissed for an eight-ball duck by Mitchell Starc, followed by a four-ball duck in the second ODI in Adelaide, trapped leg-before by Xavier Bartlett. These dismissals have led to scrutiny and debate about the 36-year-old's future in international cricket.
Ashwin, known for his insightful analysis, has offered a unique perspective on Kohli's predicament. While acknowledging the pressure and rustiness that may be affecting Kohli, Ashwin also drew comparisons to Rohit Sharma's past challenges, hinting at the importance of the captain's role in supporting a struggling batsman.
"Virat Kohli, two ducks in two matches, we have not seen it before. It could be because of pressure, rustiness, and everything," Ashwin stated. He emphasized that both Kohli and Rohit Sharma shouldn't be affected by social media chatter and need support and persistence from selectors until they regain their rhythm.
Ashwin's analysis suggests that Kohli might be overthinking his approach, possibly due to the pressure of expectations and the presence of in-form youngsters waiting in the wings. He noted that Kohli, in the first match, seemed preoccupied with the possibility of deliveries outside off-stump, leading to his dismissal while attempting a flick shot.
Many fans online have speculated that Kohli's wave to the crowd in Adelaide, a ground where he has historically performed well, could be a sign of his impending retirement. Adding fuel to this speculation, Ashwin posted a cryptic message on social media with an image of the Nike swoosh logo altered with the Indian tricolor and the words "Just Leave It". While Ashwin didn't explicitly connect the post to Kohli, some fans interpreted it as a hint towards the former captain's future.
Irfan Pathan has also offered advice to Kohli, urging him to remain patient and trust his game. Pathan suggested Kohli focus on getting a single to get off strike and ease the pressure.
Despite the consecutive ducks, it's crucial to remember Kohli's illustrious career and his remarkable achievements in the past. He holds the record for the most centuries in ODIs and has been a consistent performer for India across all formats. As Ashwin pointed out, players of Kohli's caliber deserve support during tough phases, and it's essential to avoid hasty judgments based on a few failures. The final ODI in Sydney could be a platform for Kohli to regain his form and silence the critics.
